Expatriates and policy

Bangladeshi expatriates over the years have remitted billions of dollars to the country. The increase since 2002 has been almost four-fold. In fiscal year 2009-10, it is estimated that remittance would reach around $10 billion, with a projection of $12 billion in the near future.
Remittance constitutes the highest foreign currency earning for the country, and contributes significantly to poverty reduction. In spite of the expatriates' huge contribution to the national economy their influence in public policy in Bangladesh is almost non-existent.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturer and Exporters' Association (BGMEA), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), as well as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, IMF, UNDP have considerable influence over the way the country is run even though their contribution to the national economy is lower compared to the remittance from expatriates. Bangladesh is often referred to as "donor driven." Given the contribution to the economy, it could be called "expatriate driven." Unfortunately, this is not the case.
This is because expatriates live far apart from one another and cannot be easily to organised and mobilised. The other important factor is the failure of the governments to pay due attention to them and respond to their needs. If one browses the website of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, which was established in 2001 to "ensure welfare of the expatriate workers and increase of overseas employment" one can see how little information it has.
However, the ministry maintains that it "has been rendering ceaseless efforts in enhancing the flow of remittance and to provide equal opportunity for the people of all areas of the country for overseas employment and ensuring overall welfare of the migrant workers." Words that promise a lot, but to what extent they are fulfilled remains a big question.
When expatriates arrive in the country their experience at the airport is often not very pleasant. When they depart, one notices fear, insecurity and uncertainty on their faces. Many of them have sold whatever little property they had in the hope of a better future. However, their first encounter with officials of the government may come as a shock. They feel very helpless and discriminated against. These officials should realise that the government and its executive agency depend largely on the money they (expatriates) earn by toiling hard in remote places, and in harsh climates.
One may ask whether expatriates really would like to influence public policy in Bangladesh? Maybe not. Given their dispersed locations, and diverse preferences and interests, it may not be easy to orchestrate these into a single policy preference. Expatriates may never be able to influence policy, but it is the government that should come forward to represent, and work on behalf of, this group and encourage their active involvement in the nation building process.
First, they should be treated with respect, irrespective of their social status, and as equals compared to other citizens. They should not be discriminated by government officials, either in embassies abroad or at airports when they leave and arrive in the country. Trust must be built so that they gain confidence in the government and administration.
Second, the government must ensure that they are not cheated by fake manpower export agencies. A separate unit must be created within the law enforcing agencies to deal with such fraudulent cases.
Third, many expatriates are unskilled. The government must initiate opportunities for learning skills. An expatriate' income depends on his/her skills. Moreover, education in some sectors with high demand abroad must be initiated -- such as in the health sector. Trained nurses and physiotherapists are in high demand in developed countries.
Fourth, many expatriates are also highly skilled and working in professional organisations. Their expertise may be sought in such areas as information and communication technology (ICT), health, education, etc. India has now become a superpower in ICT, thanks mostly to its expatriates. At present, a country can only flourish with investments in science and technology, and in this respect skilled and experienced expatriates can contribute significantly.
Fifth, some sectors that require huge investments, such as the energy and transport sectors, may be initiated with investments from expatriates. Electricity is a rare commodity in Bangladesh with frequent load-shedding causing enormous damage to the industrial, agricultural, and economic sectors. Joint stock companies could be established in this sector and expatriates may be encouraged to invest. The same could be initiated in the transport sector, with investments in projects such as shuttle/sky train, subway, or mono-rail.
Bangladesh is overpopulated and has few resources. The most important asset the country has is human resource and, properly trained, it would not only help to address challenges at the national level but would also open avenues for increasing remittance manifold. This would be a blessing for the country in reducing poverty, imparting skills, and encouraging investments in such sectors that involve huge financial undertaking.

Dr. Ishtiaq Jamil is Associate Professor, Department of Administration and Organization Theory, University of Bergen, Norway.
E-mail: [email protected].

Dr. Pranab Kumar Panday is Associate Professor and Chairman, Department of Public Administration, University of Rajshahi.