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Hiring Bangladeshi workers: what employers should know
Last updated: Tai Industries
Hiring Bangladeshi workers for a business in Malaysia takes approx. 4 months from application to arrival and costs an estimated RM 3,655 per worker: RM 2,655 in permit and government fees plus our RM 1,000 service fee. After arrival, the employer's obligations continue: yearly permit costs and wages that follow Malaysia's rules. Like all foreign workers (pekerja asing), they come in through 8 official steps.
How much does it cost to hire a Bangladeshi worker?
| Cost per worker | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application subtotal (visa, levy, PLKS, processing) | RM 2,055 |
| Post-arrival costs (Fomema, SPIKPA, personal accident insurance) | up to RM 600 |
| Permit and government fees | RM 2,655 |
| Tai Industries service fee | RM 1,000 |
| Estimated total | RM 3,655 |
Government fees are set by the Malaysian authorities and may change without notice. The line-by-line figures are in the foreign worker cost breakdown, with a calculator for your headcount.
How long does it take?
Allow approx. 4 months in total. MY PASS approval takes approx. 1 month, eQuota approval takes approx. 1.5 months once documents are complete, and E-embassy processing takes approx. 1.5–2.5 months. These are approximate durations, not guarantees.
What steps are involved?
The application follows the 8 official steps, from the MyFuture Jobs advertisement and hiring outcome report, through the FWE and eQuota applications in FWCMS and the approvals from JTKSM and KESUMA, to the recruitment and arrival of the worker. Each one is described in how to apply for foreign workers in Malaysia.
Which costs come back every year?
The levy (levi) of RM 1,850 and the PLKS (Pas Lawatan Kerja Sementara) work permit of RM 60 are charged annually. Together that is RM 1,910 per worker per year, payable again on renewal. A renewal takes within 2 months.
What must I pay the workers?
Our payroll standard sets a minimum basic wage of RM 1,700 per month for a 45-hour week with 1 rest day. Overtime is paid at RM 12.26 per hour on a normal day, RM 16.35 on a rest day and RM 24.52 on a public holiday. The employer also contributes EPF at 2% and PERKESO of RM 39.40. See the payroll standard.
How many workers can I bring in?
The number is set by your eQuota, the foreign worker quota approved by KESUMA for your company. Our fee is charged per worker brought in, so your total scales with the approved headcount.
What should I do first?
Decide how many workers you need and when you need them on site, then work back approx. 4 months. Tai Industries handles new Bangladeshi worker applications from start to finish. Contact us with your headcount and industry for a quotation.