Keep labour migration out of lockdown purview
Different platforms of recruiting agencies yesterday urged the government to keep labour migration sector out of the purview of "lockdown" to be enforced from Monday.
They also urged the government to not suspend international flight operations, saying it will jeopardise opportunities of overseas job for thousands of workers who were waiting for flights.
They said many migrant workers waiting to fly to Saudi Arabia have already made non-refundable payment for hotel quarantine there.
Moreover, thousands others were in the pipeline having completed their visa-stamping process, and received emigration clearance card from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), they added.
In a letter to the expatriates' welfare ministry, Recruiting Agencies' Oikya Parishad said thousands of migrant workers have already paid about Tk 150 crore as hotel booking fee for quarantine in Saudi Arabia, which is non-refundable.
If the sector remained closed during lockdown, travel of workers already obtaining visa will become uncertain while those who came home on holiday will also face uncertainty to rejoin their workplaces, it said.
Moreover, receiving countries might stop issuing new demands which will create a negative impact on the sector in future, it added.
The platform urged the government to declare labour migration as "emergency service sector".
In a statement, Recruiting Agency Welfare Organisation of Bangladesh urged the government to not suspend international flights considering overall interest of workers and the country.
Besides, it is necessary to keep the sector out of the purview of lockdown so that it can be ensured migrant workers are going to airport and other relevant places maintaining health guidelines, it said.
The platform urged the government to keep BMET and recruiting agencies out of the purview of lockdown at least on a limited scale.
The country will be put under a complete lockdown for seven days from Monday to stem the surge in Covid-19 cases. This time, nobody will be allowed to step out of home except for emergencies, said a statement from the Press Information Department (PID) issued on Friday.
Comments