Headed for trouble zones

Our expatriate workers are increasingly turning to recruitment agencies to take up job offers in war ravaged countries. Desperate for work, the unskilled labour is turning up in ever increasing numbers in countries like Libya, Sudan and Iraq. There is nothing wrong in the choice of such countries except to say that some recruiters may be putting our workers in harm's way. The government is obliged to turn its attention to this phenomenon and provide them with safeguards in the host countries through diplomatic efforts.
What is to be done given the present circumstances? Jobs are needed and they will have to be catered for. It is also a fact that the remuneration offered to expatriate labour in conflict zones is usually higher than it is elsewhere. What remains of concern though is that authorities are allegedly not keeping tab on companies doing the hiring of Bangladeshi workers in troubled countries such as Iraq. This naturally brings forth the usual problems of workers ending up with jobs that are not what is specified in their contracts and there are problems with remuneration and contract periods. We strongly urge the government to redouble its efforts to diversify export of manpower with due diligence and secure the safety and wellbeing of our expatriate workers.