‘51% aspirant migrant workers cheated, abused’

On average, fifty-one percent aspirant migrant workers experience fraudulence or abuse at different stages of embarking the migration, reveals a survey.

Refugee and Migratory Movement Research Unit (RMMRU) revealed the findings today after surveying 5,407 households in Tangail district.

In only three percent cases, formal recruiting agencies were involved from the beginning of their migration process and the rest depended on either close family members, friends or sub-agents, the study says.

Among the 51 percent, 19 percent failed to go abroad after paying a section or full amount and 32 percent have experienced fraudulence in the destination including jail, police harassment, physical and mental torture, it said.

On average households had incurred financial loss over Tk 2 lakh with a section of households suffered multiple losses.

The findings were disclosed at a programme organised at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building of Dhaka University.