Safeguards for expatriate workers
Just making
strong statements is never enough.
the government has to put the clause of safety and security at the top
In the economic growth of Bangladesh, the pivotal role played by the expatriate workers cannot be undermined. Remittance sent by overseas workers has, over the years, strengthened our reserves, making Bangladesh stable despite global upheavals. But the plight of many overseas workers, which include mistreatment plus trafficking, cast a dark shadow on overseas employment already sullied by too many other aberrations.
In recent times, many workers, especially women, have become unwitting victims of an abhorrent trade that uses enticing promises of better life abroad as publicity, but in reality, lands women into literal enslavement.
We commend the home minister for stating clearly that a conducive work environment needs to be created for women abroad and, any mistreatment plus inhuman working conditions are totally unacceptable.
Its time we took a direct approach, condemning what is morally reprehensible. In the recent past, many women, working in Middle-Eastern countries, have come back home with tales of relentless torture, sexual abuse and non-payment of wages.
In certain cases, women, used for sexual gratification, have come back with unwanted pregnancies since abortion in respective Middle Eastern nations would have brought out the sexual misconduct of the employers out in the open.
Relevant to note that both the Philippines and Indonesia last year declared that unless there is a clear cut job description for female workers supported by enforcement of basic human rights, they will stop sending their women to work overseas.
After the authorities in these two nations took a firm step, the offer came to Bangladesh but before we send our women abroad, there has to be guarantee from the employing nations about safeguarding of our workers.
In order to send skilled personnel abroad, the government has set up training centers and this is indeed laudable. However, in addition to developing their skill set, lessons on their rights as workers need to be elaborated.
Of course, just making strong statements is never enough; when there is an agreement being signed with another nation to send women to work as maids, nannies and cooks, the government of Bangladesh has to put the clause of safety and security at the top.
The reason why so many workers, both male and female, are exploited is because regulations are often opaque with governments in their eagerness to show success in sending manpower abroad, neglect the crucial rights related clauses.
As a nation in the ascendancy, Bangladesh cannot bow down and agree to unfair labour deals because such moves degrade our national identity.
