Editorial
Women migrant workers' woes
Who ensures their safety?
NEARLY seven out of ten female migrant workers in Bangladesh suffer one form of torture during their occupation abroad. This shocking news has come to the surface, thanks to a study carried out by the UN's International Organisation for Migration (IOM). The nature of abuse is extensive. The violation of the rights of Bangladeshi working women abroad is not limited merely to sexual harassment. Women workers, like their male counterparts are facing similar problems at the hands of middlemen. Seizure of passports, denial of medical benefits and untimely payment of salaries are but a few anomalies that exist in this largely unregulated sector.
What has come to light is the fact that female workers going abroad are at a natural disadvantage due to lack of awareness and education. Such shortcomings naturally create opportunities for harassment. Obviously, a lot needs to be done to redress the situation, especially in light of the fact that the number of women migrant workers has shot up significantly in recent years. Skills development programmes must be made mandatory for all agencies involved in international recruitment. The other area of contention, one that has not been adequately redressed over the last few years – the greater involvement of our diplomatic missions abroad to aid expatriate Bangladeshi workers, particularly women. There is no denying the massive contribution migrant workers play to the national economy. And it is a matter of national priority that the workers who work to contribute $15 billion per annum to the economy be treated with the respect they deserve.
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