Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has instructed the authorities concerned to make the process of manpower export transparent and inform everyone of the matter to prevent fraud.
She gave the directive while chairing a Cabinet meeting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban on Monday.
The prime minister advised overseas jobseekers to take loans from Probashi Kallyan Bank instead of selling land to go abroad to remain “safe from deception” as the bank lends money only in case of genuine overseas employment.
Cabinet Secretary Khandaker Anwarul Islam disclosed the prime minister’s directives at a briefing at the Secretariat after the cabinet meeting.
“Today (Monday) we have discussed in detail the issue of recruitment of workers. In particular, it has been emphasised that workers who are going abroad should maintain liaison with the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment so that they do not have to pay extra money,” he said.
The cabinet secretary said many people make direct payments to manpower agents without knowing that they are paying extra.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has specifically instructed the authorities concerned to make the migration procedure very precise and transparent and to widely publicise the matter through television channels, radio stations, newspapers and other media outlets,” he said.
Quoting the prime minister the cabinet secretary said securing loans from Probashi Kallyan Bank will protect the jobseekers from fraud as the bank will not pay any money unless the overseas job offer letter is genuine.
“In that case, they will also remain in a safe position in terms of transaction of money,” he quoted the premier as saying.
Citing examples of workers who went abroad but came back destitute, Anwarul said, “Some Bangladeshis went to Malaysia spending taka 3-4 lakh, but many of them could not recover their cost in two years and returned home empty-handed.”
He said, “It should be made clear who are the authorities and how much will be the cost of migration. They (workers) should also be informed that if they need money, they can take loans through Probashi Kallyan Bank.”
Quoting the prime minister, the cabinet secretary said 100 industrial parks are being established but workers are not available for them.
The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare has been instructed to make workers know about the job opportunity through massive promotions and campaigns, he said.
When asked how the campaign would be carried out, he said, “Small TVCs will be made. The main campaign will be carried out through the media.”
Bangladesh has achieved seventh position in the world in terms of expatriate income. More than 10 million expatriates are sending remittance home. With their contribution, the foreign exchange reserves reached the milestone of $45 billion for the first time on May 3. Despite the coronavirus epidemic, expatriates have sent about $21 billion in the current fiscal year.
There are many cases of endless pain of expatriates and jobseekers as they are often deceived by recruiting agency brokers and fraudulent agencies.
On the other hand, airfares for travels to different Middle East destination have recently doubled and tripled in some cases, leaving expatriates in difficulties.
However, the recent instructions from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have created a new hope among the people who want to go to abroad.
In the Monday meeting, the Cabinet approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation Act, 2022 aiming to run the corporation under a time-befitting law.
“The corporation is run under ‘Forest Industries Development Corporation Ordinance 1959.’ Now the proposed law has been brought to make an updated law,” the cabinet secretary said.