Editorial
Migrant workers' ordeal
Irregularities negatively impacting the economy
Bangladeshi workers working abroad are a very significant source of income for the country, bringing in over US $10 billion into the economy, largely from the remittances which the workers send in from their incomes abroad. However, this large input into the economy now faces huge risks due to the exorbitant migration costs charged by the manpower agencies.
Bangladesh and some other countries are attempting to set a cap beyond which a migrant worker will not have to pay to ensure work abroad. This cap should not exceed a migrant worker's basic pay of two months. However, at the moment, the costs exceed this amount by far, reaching over Taka 1.5 lakh to 5 lakh. It should be noted that the government fixed rate is Taka 84,000. Due to these costs, workers often overstay in host countries, working illegally to recover these costs.
This situation poses a three way problem for the worker, Bangladesh and the host country. One of the suggestions to end these illegal fees imposed on migrant workers is to have employers deal with the government directly regarding recruitment matters.
Aspiring migrants undergo many financial hardships as it is in order to obtain immigration abroad. This hardship should under no circumstances be increased due to unjustified costs.
In a two day meeting held jointly by Switzerland (Chair of the Global Forum on Migration or GFMD) and Bangladesh (Chair of the Colombo Press, a regional forum of labour-sending countries) some points have been discussed. These points include numerous issues related to labour recruitment, regulations, the matching of skills, simplified process for obtaining visas, job contract validation and social protection for migrants.
We remain hopeful that these issues, which are so vital and fundamental for the Bangladesh economy may be resolved soon and that there are strict regulations which prohibit brokers from charging heavy sums from the workers.
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