27/07/2020
Tharoor: Mission Houses Should Record Indians’ Wage Grievances Before Repatriation
workers in cases related to wage theft and other outstanding claims and to provide
equitable remedies.
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“Cases could be received directly from migrants themselves or through entities
providing support or legal representation to migrants. All pre-existing case
documentation should be referred to the Claims Commissions for resolution,” Roula
said.
Roula added that the International Claims Commission could be administered jointly by
International Labour Organisation and International Organisation for Migration,
together with other relevant stakeholders.
The latest ILO estimates show that working hour losses have worsened during the rst
half of 2020, re ecting the deteriorating situation in recent weeks, especially in
developing countries.
The ILO report reveals that during the rst quarter of the year, an estimated 5.4% of
global working hours (equivalent to 155 million full-time jobs) were lost relative to the
fourth quarter of 2019.
“Working hour losses for the second quarter of 2020 relative to the last quarter of 2019
are estimated to reach 14% worldwide (equivalent to 400 million full-time jobs),” the
report adds.
Remittance Dip Vs Wage Theft
Meanwhile, Shahidul Haque, Former Foreign Secretary, Bangladesh, said the discussion
that making rights as an entitlement for migrant workers only can resolve the issues.
“So far, we discussed how to govern migration. But we missed the rights angle. We
should not repeat that. Additionally, we should force countries to honour global
compact on migration even if it’s a non-binding one. As they (countries) have signed it,
they should honour it,” Shahidul said.
While detailing the woes of Bangladeshi workers who returned penniless due to job loss
from COVID-hit countries, he also endorsed the need of setting up an international
claims commission to address the wage theft.
According to the former foreign secretary, some 500,000 Bangladeshis have returned
jobless from COVID-hit countries.
https://www.thelede.in/inclusion/2020/07/22/tharoor-mission-houses-should-record-indians-wage-grievances-before-repatriation
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