Migrants in KSA: Errant agents will face music

The government will take “stern action” against the agents involved in irregularities in the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers for companies in Saudi Arabia, with the country deporting thousands, even those with valid work permits.

“We have collected the identities of a number of migrants who returned home recently. We want to see which agents sent them and how. We are trying to find any irregularities [in the recruitment process]. If found, we will take stern action. None will be spared,” said Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad.

The warning comes at a time when 17,000 Bangladeshis were deported from Saudi Arabia in the first ten months of this year. 

On Saturday, a total of 173 workers were deported by Saudi Arabia, according to the Brac Migration Programme, an NGO-programme which deals with migrants. 

Most of the migrants alleged that they had valid visas and Iqamas (residential permits), but after deportation they now face financial hardships, having already spent Tk 3-4 lakh to go abroad. 

Officials concerned said manpower brokers and recruiting agents often send workers to middle-eastern countries with so-called “free visas”, which they claim will help secure jobs in any company. 

Minister Imran Ahmad hinted that the recruiting agents or manpower brokers were involved in the “free visa” business.

According to Saudi law, however, it is illegal for any foreigner to work for a company that did not hire them. 

“We will have zero tolerance against any irregularities,” Imran told journalists at a press conference in the ministry’s conference hall yesterday.

Asked about the presence of powerful lobbies and manpower brokers involved in visa trading in both Bangladesh and countries abroad, Imran admitted it was true, but said there was a lack of information about them.

“If I get information, I can act promptly against the errant brokers or agents. Our embassies and officials from the ministry are working towards this end,” he said. 

“Our executive magistrates are on standby. If there is information, we [will] take action. I hope those involved in illegal activities will be careful now,” the minister said.

The lawmaker said illegal activities by the brokers are a major factor that leads to closures of labour markets. However, the government is working towards rectifying the malpractices and reopen the labour markets in Malaysia and the UAE, while exploring new markets, he added.  

Also, countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are prioritising recruitment of locals, he added. 

The United Arab Emirates, which restricted recruitment back in 2012,  maintains restrictions for the general workers from Bangladesh and only hires domestic workers from the country.

The latest market that has been reopened to Bangladeshi workers is Seychelles, which currently employs some 2,500 Bangladeshis. It froze recruitment in October last year on allegations of private sector irregularities.  

On October 21, Bangladesh and Seychelles signed an agreement on labour cooperation. Under the deal, Bangladesh Overseas Employment Services Limited, the state-run recruiting agent, and the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) will manage the whole recruitment. 

“The cost of recruitment in Seychelles will be minimal,” said Selim Reza, secretary at the expatriates’ welfare ministry.

Japan has also opened its market for Bangladesh and the aspirants are being prepared. He asked those wishing to go to Japan not to pay any money to any agency or broker as it’s the Japanese employers who would bear the cost.