Detained Bangladeshis in Malaysia

In its latest drive, Malaysian authorities arrested 65 Bangladeshis on charge of having fake travel documents. Not only did these immigrants  possess forged travel documents, according to authorities in that country, they had overstayed and violated their social visit passes. There were many times in the past when the Malaysian authorities sent back illegal immigrants from Bangladesh after their detention. There is little doubt that on the Bangladeshi end there are myriad problems. Many people here are so motivated to go foreign lands to earn their survival, or just to make money for becoming rich, they resort to all kind of dubious means such as having a fake passport or work permit. And they are so available at hand!  

At the same breath it must be pointed out here that it is the authorities of these countries that give them the visa. And Malaysia, that often officially wants to take workers from Bangladesh, is no exception. We  urge Malaysian authorities not to go too hard on the detained workers when they do not have valid travel documents. As a friend of Malyasia, Bangladesh very much expects this kind gesture from it.

On the Bangladesh end, it ought to be very cautious in preventing people going to other countries including Malaysia with fake travel documents. True, the workers’ remittance is the second most important driver of Bangladesh economy, but this does not mean, for keeping its economy going, it would allow its people going to other countries through applying illegal means. Bangladesh must enforce strict measures to stop this trend.

Economic concern of the country is okay, but it should now seriously be aware of its reputation abroad also. Bangladesh is steadily coming out of its poverty cycle; in moral terms also Bangladesh needs to make advancement. If our country improves its record in sending workers, this will in turn increase demand of its workers in the relevant countries. The policy makers in Bangladesh on expatriate workers must sincerely focus on this, as it cannot afford to lose its place in the international labour market.

As for the recent 65 detained Bangladeshis in Malaysia, it is expected that its embassy at Kuala Lumpur would extend all support to them so that they are freed early and authorities there legalise their stay in Malaysia.   

 

Detained Bangladeshis in Malaysia

In its latest drive, Malaysian authorities arrested 65 Bangladeshis on charge of having fake travel documents. Not only did these immigrants possess forged travel documents, according to authorities in that country, they had overstayed and violated their social visit passes. There were many times in the past when the Malaysian authorities sent back illegal immigrants from Bangladesh after their detention. There is little doubt that on the Bangladeshi end there are myriad problems. Many people here are so motivated to go foreign lands to earn their survival, or just to make money for becoming rich, they resort to all kind of dubious means such as having a fake passport or work permit. And they are so available at hand! At the same breath it must be pointed out here that it is the authorities of these countries that give them the visa. And Malaysia, that often officially wants to take workers from Bangladesh, is no exception. We urge Malaysian authorities not to go too hard on the detained workers when they do not have valid travel documents. As a friend of Malyasia, Bangladesh very much expects this kind gesture from it. On the Bangladesh end, it ought to be very cautious in preventing people going to other countries including Malaysia with fake travel documents. True, the workers remittance is the second most important driver of Bangladesh economy, but this does not mean, for keeping its economy going, it would allow its people going to other countries through applying illegal means. Bangladesh must enforce strict measures to stop this trend. Economic concern of the country is okay, but it should now seriously be aware of its reputation abroad also. Bangladesh is steadily coming out of its poverty cycle; in moral terms also Bangladesh needs to make advancement. If our country improves its record in sending workers, this will in turn increase demand of its workers in the relevant countries. The policy makers in Bangladesh on expatriate workers must sincerely focus on this, as it cannot afford to lose its place in the international labour market. As for the recent 65 detained Bangladeshis in Malaysia, it is expected that its embassy at Kuala Lumpur would extend all support to them so that they are freed early and authorities there legalise their stay in Malaysia.