74% had left behind a significant amount of resource in
destination countries while returned.
A substantial majority of that was unpaid wages. In addition
cases were reported in which migrant lost money as they gave
loans to friends from other countries, paid for visa renewal and
were to theft by law enforcers.
On average the affected migrants lost Tk. 175,000 (Minimum
Tk.9500 and maximum Tk. 5,00,000).
Atiq, 55 who returned from UAE informed that he had been
working in a steel factory for 14 years and as part of his
payment procedure he used to get an small amount per month
and after a while the owners used to clear all dues. ‘I have an
outstanding amount of around Taka 5,00,000 including last two
months wages .’
‘My visa will expire in June. I have given 3000 dirhams (Tk.
70,000) to a Pakistani friend for renewing my visa. As I was
picked up suddenly I could not contact him ,’ said Belal, 41
who returned from Saudi Arabia.
‘One of my camp mates from India had sudden financial need
at home. He borrowed an equivalent of Taka 25,000 from me.
There is no way I will get that money again,’ said Shobuj, 24
who backed from Qatar.
The RMMRU study recommended for international community
that only 1990 UN Migrant Worker Convention could ensures
protection of migrants in any situation.
‘Unfortunately, this rights based document has been pushed to
the back. The crisis situation reveals that the civil society
organizations and countries of origin should do more for
advocacy for ratification. MICIC, 2016 recommendations
should be promoted as the guiding document in dealing with
migrants in emergency situations.’
It recommended for Bangladesh that registration process
following due diligence should be conducted by Bangladesh
missions before workers are repatriated.
‘If any unpaid wages and other benefits remain pending then
the missions can take power of attorney from the migrants and
pursue settlement of claims subsequently’.
To follow up on the GoB’s call to OIC for ensuring 6 month
salary GoB may consider mobilising other sending states to
back such a position.
GoB has to develop a guideline for ensuring under which
condition return should take place.
Migrationnewsbd.com/ob
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