Editorial
Welcome MOU between UAE and Bangladesh
A model for good manpower trade
We are heartened to know that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed between Bangladesh and UAE aimed at ensuring better working conditions for and protecting the rights of Bangladeshi workers in the gulf state. It would be implemented by a joint committee comprising three members from each of the two countries. This will monitor matters relating to manpower export and working conditions for our workers in the UAE and put measures in place by way of corrective actions. The focus is placed on 'eliminating problems frequently caused by both recruiting and receiving agencies'.Apart from falling prey to machinations of fraudulent recruiters thereby losing their last penny, our workers overseas have often been subjected to harassment by individual recruiting agencies both at home and abroad. They would land on jobs they had not contracted for with the terms and conditions of service deviating from what they were given to understand before departing from their home country. It is high time we streamline the manpower trade sector as a whole with the cooperation of the host countries who have as much a stake in it perhaps as we. We have to address the problem of illegal immigrants. It may not be out of place to mention that of the 70,000 workers currently employed in the UAE about 16,000 are said to be staying there illegally. Let us not forget that Bangladeshi wage earners abroad happen to be the largest contributor to our foreign exchange reserves. They are also contributing significantly to the economy of the host countries. So, it's a both way traffic that must be made the most of. We suggest that following this MOU, the government should seriously consider forging similar understanding with other countries where there is a concentration of Bangladeshi workers.
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