Manpower export declines

The reasons behind the loss of ground in the international jobs market are not unknown. Before placing the blame on the host countries, let's have a look at our own faults and limitations. The relations with some of the host countries have not been that smooth in recent times, and there have been reports of Bangladeshi workers resorting to movements and demonstrations abroad which the countries concerned were not ready to accept. In such cases, the workers might have just been voicing their dissent over non-fulfillment of service conditions. But the point is that the recruiting agents could be the people responsible to a great extent for such problems. Then there are allegations that our workers are entering some countries illegally or overstaying there. So the sector, a major foreign exchange earner, is not performing to its potential.

Now, these are things that cannot coexist with a successful manpower export policy. Our missions abroad often shown a nonchalant attitude towards the workers when they look for help. The missions should have the details of all the expatriate workers so that they can address any problem or answer queries. The government certainly should not leave our workers exposed to the guile of the travel and recruiting agents or the whims of the employers in the host countries.

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The ministry that was set up for the welfare of expatriate workers should formulate a strategy to solve the problems faced by them. The government should seriously consider opening a special cell at our missions for the expatriate workers, particularly in the countries with a heavy concentration of our workers. It should also try to establish more effective coordination and communication with the governments of the host countries on the issue of exporting manpower.