Migrant workers face burden of doubled airfare
Just as Bangladeshi workers have begun going overseas on employment again with the wane of coronavirus, their air fare has been doubled. Up until November, air tickets to various countries in the Middle East cost around Tk 40,000 to Tk 45,000. That has now shot up to Tk 70,000 to Tk 90,000. And it is difficult availing tickets even with this inflated fare. They are having to take to the streets in demand of plane tickets.
Who is responsible for this situation? There had been no decrease in the number of flights from Bangladesh on local and international routes. It is necessary to look into whether any syndicate is behind this hike in air fare and the crisis in ticket availability. The Association of Travel Agencies of Bangladesh (ATAB) alleges that the airlines are responsible for increasing the cost of tickets. On the other hand, manpower exporters complain that the Biman and ATAB syndicate is responsible for this predicament.
Persons involved in manpower export say that 15 to 20 per cent of the international route passengers fly by Bangladesh Biman. The remaining 80 per cent travel by other foreign airlines. So it is only natural that if Biman hikes it fare, other airlines will follow suit. But they can't increase fares at their will. Fare is determined by mileage on international routes. If a ticket is sold for Tk 40,000 a month ago, why will it now be sold for Tk 80,000 of Tk 85,000 on the same route? This has become an added burden to the poor workers heading out to overseas jobs.
If a worker cannot join his job on time due to this crisis, who is liable? CAAB must take effective measures immediately and increase the number of flights on the relevant routes
ATAB claims the tickets are being sold in the names of the passengers so the travel agencies have no scope of manipulation. The tickets are sold online through GDS, that is, the Global Distribution System. A ticket can be checked online from anywhere. BAIRA (Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies) on the other had says that Bangladesh Biman may not sell group tickets, but other airlines do.
ATAB and BAIRA have proposed that the number flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines and other airlines be increased, that the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) accelerate the process of approving additional slots for the airlines, that the government declare special fares for overseas workers and that a regulatory board be formed to prevent the airlines for unreasonable increase in airfare. These demands are not unjustified.
If Bangladesh Biman tries to make up its year-round losses by charging the Middle East bound workers extra fare, that would be unjust. We want Biman to become a profitable organisation, but why should the overseas workers have to pay the price?
While around 5000 passengers are supposed to be travelling to the Middle East every day, only 3000 are managing to go due to shortage of flights. If a worker cannot join his job on time due to this crisis, who is liable? CAAB must take effective measures immediately and increase the number of flights on the relevant routes.
The government should also take into cognizance BAIRA's proposal for providing the overseas workers tickets at concession rates. After all, these workers not only boost our foreign exchange reserves, but they contribute to ensuring business for our national flag carrier Biman. If neighbouring countries India and Nepal can provide reduced rates for their workers to travel to the Middle East, why can't we?