That the entire migrant visa operation is afflicted by a series of anomalies is not a new finding, but from time to time, we discover that in addition to the existing irregularities, a new one is added. The recent report on the migrant visa trade, alluding to a TIB report, states that around Tk5000 crore is being siphoned off to buy visas for male workers abroad.
In simple language, this means, a large amount of money earned by the foreign worker is spent to either buy visas to stay abroad or, for extension of existing permits, though this amount should have come back to the country as remittance.
While this disconcerting finding adds another dubious dimension to the migrant worker visa imbroglio, the existing ones, festering over the years, come out once again. According to TIB, there are 16 types of irregularities affecting almost all stages of the migrant visa attainment process. Bribe has to be paid for fitness clearance, no objection certificate, police clearance, and for a series of other approvals required for a person to go overseas to work.
From a practical angle, it would be impossible to root out a nexus which involves not only local bodies and a deeply entrenched corrupt system, but also unscrupulous foreign agents. However, doing nothing would only give impunity to the nefarious elements, which have got the migrant workers in a stranglehold.  The first step to take would be to introduce digitization of several stages of the operation where migrant workers would be able to submit their documents digitally and get approval within a clearly specified time.
Secondly, in the digital system, a provision needs to be kept for dissatisfied clients to lodge a complaint, which will also have links to major media outlets in the country.
Also, the application approval process of the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training has to be fully computer based.  From time to time, concern has been raised over the opacity of the Migration and Expatriation Act 2013 and the government needs to address areas which may give rise to equivocation.
Sadly, we do not see any concerted round the year attempt from the relevant ministry to minimize the plight of the overseas worker.   Like many other countries, Bangladesh should have fast track kiosks exclusively aimed at easing the woes faced by migrant workers. In this case, giving this operation to reputed private companies is an option.
Practically speaking, the culture of bribe demanding and other forms of underhand dealings will always be there but with a little determination a lot more transparency can be infused.