It is encouraging to note that the government is going to implement a project to provide employment to two lakh expatriate Bangladeshis who returned home after losing their jobs during the Coronavirus pandemic. As reported by this daily on Wednesday, on the implementation of the project, the returnees will get financial, technical, and other facilities for economic rehabilitation. The total cost of the project is estimated at Tk 427.30 crore. Of this, the government has set a target of spending Tk 2.30 crore from its own funds and Tk 425 crore from a World Bank loan.
Experts opine that, once the project is implemented, orientation and counselling for the reintegration of migrant workers returning due to the Covid-19 pandemic, one-time cash payments, certification of skills through RPLs for their employment at home and abroad, and financial, technical, and other facilities would be ensured.
We hope that the authorities concerned
will take necessary measures to provide
constant support to the returnee expats
True willingness is needed for the project to be implemented successfully. It is important to safeguard the initiatives that have been taken by the government to help the migrants to deliver to them without any complications. If a certain time limit could be set to let the applicant know about their loan receiving date, it would be convenient for them.
More initiatives should be taken for the expatriates, including training and counselling. Not just the government but non-governmental organisations should also come forward and work together prioritizing the overall welfare of the expatriates.
The migrants are currently passing their days under tremendous mental pressure without any regular income. We hope that the authorities concerned will take necessary measures to provide constant support to the returnees.