Editorial
K L's move is worrisome
Government must find alternative market
THE Malaysian government's decision to cancel visas already granted to Bangladeshi workers is a serious blow not only for the workers but for the nation as a whole. At a time when Bangladesh has been exploring various avenues, especially through its manpower sector, to solidify its economic base, the move by Kuala Lumpur can only pour cold water on our collective aspirations. We of course realise that the Malaysian authorities have their own economic compulsions in view of the on-going global recession. At the same time, we fail to accept the argument that those already granted visas to travel to Malaysia and work there can be dealt with in such cavalier fashion. The difficulty for us, though, is that it is a decision made by a country in its national interest, which means that Bangladesh does not have much of a say here.
That does not, however, minimise our sense of economic loss. Making matters worse is the fact that 532 of our workers already in Malaysia have been denied entry into Kuala Lumpur from the airport. That and the 55,000 whose visas have been cancelled now face a bleak future because of the financial as well as emotional involvement they have already gone through in preparing for the journey to Malaysia. Given that the calamity is already upon us and given little likelihood of the Kuala Lumpur authorities reversing their decision, we feel that the Bangladesh government as well as our many manpower agencies should consider the happening as an early warning of the turmoil that could yet be up ahead. The manpower export, being the biggest in the growth sector, cannot be allowed to collapse. One wishes one could take some comfort from the response of the minister for labour, expatriates' welfare and overseas employment regarding the crisis. Unfortunately, one cannot. Minister Khondokar Mosharraf Hossain has said that "if necessary" he and the foreign minister will travel to Kuala Lumpur to speak to the Malaysian authorities. What more remains for our minister to be convinced that the necessity is already in hand, and the time is well past for him to take any action?
The need today is for some very serious stock taking where Bangladesh's manpower export industry is concerned. That must include a review of existing conditions with a view to exploring new markets for manpower export across the globe. Too excessive a dependence on such regions as Malaysia and the Middle East has in a way stultified the industry. With Malaysia as good as gone for our manpower business, the government should set up specialised teams which will immediately get down to the job of identifying new countries or regions which can benefit from Bangladeshi cheap labour and vice versa. There is no time to lose. Meanwhile, swift and effective steps must be taken to have the manpower agencies refund the money deposited by the 55,000 visa holders as well as those stranded at Kuala Lumpur airport.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments