39pc migrant workers’ familes had no income from April-June: study
Thirty-nine percent of the migrant workers' families had no income during April, May and June in the country this year, although there were no families that had no income till November 2019, said speakers citing a recent survey at a webinar yesterday.
The survey -- conducted by Karmojibi Nari, Manusher Jonno Foundation and UK Aid, also revealed that although before Covid-19, the monthly income of a migrant worker was on an average Tk 47,272, it came down to Tk 9,361 after the coronavirus situation emerged, says a press release.
The findings were presented at an online seminar, titled "Covid-19: Safe migration, fact findings on migrant workers' acquirements and deprivation, and ways to reintegration", organised by Karmojibi Nari and supported by MJF and UK Aid.
The survey focused on the impact of Covid-19 on migrant workers and it was conducted with 383 migrant workers (155 women and 228 men), aged between 21 and 50, in 3 districts -- Dhaka, Mymensingh and Narsingdi. The workers participating in the study were involved in a total of 55 occupations.
Speakers at the meeting made recommendations on a variety of issues. According to them, these workers need to be provided with jobs and loans on easy terms to survive and special initiatives should be taken by the government to monitor the stimulus package provided by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
The speakers also suggested providing guarantee of migrant workers' rights by following a bilateral agreement.
Besides, there should be bilateral talks with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so that those who have been forced to return to the country after Covid-19 can go abroad again and those who are still abroad are not sent back.
The online seminar was presided over by Karmojibi Nari President Dr Pratima Paul Majumder and moderated by Acting Executive Director Sunzida Sultana.
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