An algorithm to decipher

Expatriate Bangladeshis have sent home USD 1.16 billion in Aug, 22% less than they did in July. In July, the remittance inflow was USD 1.49 billion, an all-time high.

Let's look at another group of wage earners at our apparel sector. What we see is the influx of Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and some Koreans or Chinese – mostly in the management levels. Look at the top posts of a major garment factory or of a leading trading house – all we see the expatriates holding the key decision making positions.

If you look at the salaries they are getting – you would be baffled. The salary structure is in line with Bangladeshi Managers. I have many friends working in different positions in these top ranking garment factories, trading, buying, sourcing or liaison offices operating in Bangladesh. In black and white the expatriate managers are getting meager sum of money like we natives get. But in reality they are getting more than anyone could ever imagine. In reality they pay taxes base on that but they draw a hefty amount (the balance package) through other channels. These are separate bank accounts they are maintaining abroad and the payments are made diligently. We have amongst us some unscrupulous (if not notorious) law enforcing agencies, bank officials, audit bodies - who eagerly come forward to aid them to get away with this in exchange of a few bucks.

For example, an expat manager, on an average, could well take out a salary of at least 40-50 times more than that of a worker working in a garment factory (minimum wage is set at Tk. 5300.00 for a garment entry level worker last year). I believe we are no longer the toddlers in the global garment manufacturing trade and now there is enough expertise available around us and within ourselves. We no longer depend on the expats anymore for promoting us.

The developing countries are sending back our men in numbers with a view to shed at least whatsoever coinage that would make job opportunities for their own nationals. On the other hand we are giving these foreigners a free ride at the expense of our sons' bright future on our own soil. We let our money to be ciphered away unchallenged. The expats are outnumbering us on every sphere of our apparel sector. If this continues unemployment would hit hard our socio economic factors. The legislative body should start at it now. They should comprehensively check all these anomalies; scrutinize their credentials. All work permits should be checked prior to their renewals, remuneration and other factors.

Our apparel sector needs a proper system for employing foreign managers.

The writer is a marketing professional in an Apparel Manufacturing Unit.