Create fund for migrant workers, hard-hit families

Sixteen migrant rights bodies and civil society organisations have appealed to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to create a fund for the distressed migrants and their left-behind families affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter issued yesterday, they called for the government to increase incentives to stop the downward trend in remittance flow, as well as take measures to make sure that migrants are treated with dignity and there is no negative mindset about them.

The letter signed by Dr Tasneem Siddiqui, chair of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) of Dhaka University, appreciated the government's Tk 72,000-crore stimulus package to support export-oriented industries, Tk 5,000-crore fund for agriculture and Tk 100-crore insurance scheme for the health workers.

"Like all the above groups, migrants working in the Gulf, South-East Asian countries, Europe and America are also your sons and daughters... Migrants are anxiously waiting for your words about them. Us 16 organisations are conveying their plight and expectations to you."

The letter noted that migrants working under 'free visa', undocumented ones, small entrepreneurs, service sector employees in the Middle East as well as a large section of those working in Europe are now mostly jobless and without income.

"Migrants are pleading to you for creating a fund for distressed migrants and their left-behind family members," the letter said.

The government has disbursed funds for assisting migrants both in European as well as in Middle-Eastern countries, while also announcing creation of a Tk 200 crore fund, which is appreciable, it added.

Meanwhile, the organisations said some steps undertaken to reduce the spread of coronavirus have unwittingly created a negative mindset against migrants. In cases, they are not allowed to stay in their villages, while some face harassment in accessing medical services.

"Some were attacked or faced extortion. In some localities, burials of deceased migrants were resisted," the letter said, requesting the PM to issue a compassionate statement and strict directive to the administration to treat migrants with dignity.

They also protested in the letter the move by a number of countries to deport irregular migrants, saying under international law, it is incumbent on labour-receiving countries to provide protection to all migrants irrespective of status.

The signatories to the letter include RMMRU, WARBE Development Foundation, Bangladesh Ovibashi Mohila Sramik Association, IMA Research Foundation, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Ain O Salish Kendra, Bangladesh Support Group, INAFI, BCWWF, YPSA, BOAF, Bastob, Rights Jessore, Devcom, Film 4 Peace and Change Makers.