Editorial
Manpower export in watershed
Recognise problems and do the needful
Manpower export in terms of volumes is witnessing its lowest figures over the last seven years. According to Bureau of Manpower Export and Training, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, by far the largest labour markets for Bangladeshi expatriate workers have been closed off for some time. Also the government-to-government labour deal between Bangladesh and Malaysia has yet to bear dividends. With no new labour markets opening up, it is little wonder that the sector is undergoing its most challenging time.
While much hype had centred around tens of thousands going to Malaysia, the actual figure is in a few hundreds. The government may place the blame squarely on the irregularities of private sector operators for the closure of many lucrative destinations, but it has only exposed the fact that it is beyond the capacity of the government to manage the labour market on its own. With proper oversight, rules and regulations in place there is no reason why the private manpower operators cannot be engaged again.
On a brighter note, Saudi authorities are in the process of regularising illegal Bangladeshi workers. Efforts must be made now to fully explore the EU market. The fact that the EU market absorbed nearly 250,000 workers on a yearly basis from 2007 to 2012 speaks volumes of its potential. Hence it has become imperative that new impetus be given by the government to a process of breaking new grounds in manpower market.
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