Thousands of migrants turn jobless

About the entire world has been isolated due to he coronavirus pandemic. Nobody is going out without an urgency while thousands of Bangladeshi migrants have become jobless. Undocumented migrants in different countries are facing a serious crisis.

Sources at the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) said about 10 million Bangladeshis work in different countries all over the world, with most of them working on contract.

There are thousands of undocumented workers who work on daily basis and they have been hit hard.

Nearly five million workers work in the countries of the Middle East. Around 90 per cent of departing migrants went to Middle East countries last year.

Bangladeshi migrants also work in Malaysia, Singapore, Maldives and Italy and all of these countries are affected by coronavirus.

Those who run small businesses fear losing their capital.

These migrants say everything outside is closed and they survive on their small savings. They fear they will face a big crisis.

Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) secretary general Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury said protection of the migrants should be the top priority. BAIRA will work with the government to support the affected migrants, he added.

In a Facebook group titled ‘We Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia’ Sadiqur Rahman said, “Is there any opportunity of work for undocumented workers?”

Another migrant Rasel said he along with another migrant is in danger as they are jobless.

Another migrant Sohag said he went to Saudi Arabia about two and half month ago on a three-month visa. He did not find any work, so the tenure of his visa will not be extended. Now he is looking ways to return home.

The Saudi government on Saturday made a new declaration.

As per the declaration, the migrants can change their employers.

In a Facebook group ‘Helpline for Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia’ Arif Khan wrote, “I am in serious crisis and need a job.”

In the Facebook group, many uploaded posts seeking jobs. In reply, many migrants wrote there is no job.

There are about 250,000 Bangladeshis in Kuwait. Of them, about 5,000 Bangladeshis run various small and medium businesses.

There are about 145,000 regular migrants in Italy. Moreover, there are about 100,000 undocumented migrants who pass through uncertainty. At least 100,000 migrants run small businesses in different cities of Italy. But now they cannot go out of their homes.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, Tuhin Mahmud, Bangladeshi expatriate in Italy, said regular migrants will get various support from the government. But undocumented migrants have gone into hiding. They are afraid of receiving treatment fearing they would be captured.

BRAC migration programme chief Shariful Islam said half of the migrants work on contract. They will be affected financially. The embassies of the respective countries should collect information of the affected migrants so that they could be supported in many ways later.

The expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment ministry formed a monitoring committee to observe the situation of migrants. According to the committee, migrants are getting support from their employers. Those who are not regular workers are passing through uncertainty. The embassies have opened hotlines for round the clock.

Speaking to Prothom Alo, the monitoring committee’s focal person and additional secretary of the ministry, Ahmed Munirus Saleheen said information is being collected from all missions and labour wings. The government will provide food, accommodation and medicine to the affected migrants.

*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Rabiul Islam.