31pc physically abused

At least 31 percent of Bangladeshi female migrants have been physically abused in destination countries due to a lack of proper security measures, according to a study of Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP) yesterday.

“Bangladeshi female migrants face many challenges in their destination countries. They face different forms of abuse--physical, sexual, and verbal -- and this poses a barrier for female migration,” said Shakirul Islam, chairman of OKUP, a grass roots migrant organisation.

OKUP revealed their findings at a consultation programme on “A Decade of Women Migration from Bangladesh: Achievements, Challenges, Prospects” in Biam auditorium in the capital.

According to the study, at least 13 percent of female migrants faced sexual abuse, eight percent faced verbal abuse, 15 percent worked without pay, and 43 percent suffered from health complications.

For its research, OKUP interviewed 175 women who returned from abroad, particularly the Middle East, between January 2013 and August 2014.      

“The victims could not lodge complaints against their employers as their passports were confiscated during their employment,” Shakirul observed.  

Kazi Abul Kalam, deputy secretary at expatriates' welfare and overseas employment ministry, presented a paper on Bangladeshi females' migration abroad.

The female migrants are still facing challenges in the destination countries as they lack proper training and skill, said Abul Kalam.

Expatriates' Welfare Secretary Khondaker Showkat Hossain addressed the programme as the chief guest.