The BCSM report says 83.9 percent returnees had valid contracts.
As reasons for return, 63 percent respondents said they were
forced to return or stay back in Bangladesh at the instruction of
their employers, with 28.5 percent having come back on vacation
and then got stranded.
When asked whether they had registered a complaint regrading
wage theft, 92 percent of respondents said they did not, according
to the report.
As reasons, they cited lack of information about where to file the
complaint, finding "no reason" to believe that recovery was
possible, and fearing retaliation from employers, it says.
The report recommended that all dues of migrant workers be
cleared before repatriation.
In case of inability of the employers to clear such dues before the
return of the workers, documents should be issued by the
employers that can be presented in courts for settlement, it says.
Addressing the event, Andalib Elias, director general (multilateral
economic affairs) of the foreign ministry, said lack of manpower in
the Bangladesh missions abroad is a major challenge in providing
required services to migrant workers.
However, the present government is fully aware and conscious of
the problems, he said, adding, "We are taking all necessary steps
that is possible in our periphery to address this issue."
(https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/th (https://play.google.com/store/app
daily-star/id589009555?
ls=1&mt=8)
id=com.mcc.thedailystar)