Adviser says no sloth in manpower export

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury has said 314,000 workers have so far got clearance for employment abroad this year, as there has been no sloth in manpower export.
“If this trend continues, then this year we'll break even the previous year's figure, which was already a record,” Dr Iftekhar, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and
Overseas Employment, said in a statement yesterday.
Out of the 314,000 workers, 225,000 have already left for their destinations, he said. In 2007, 832,000 workers were cleared for overseas jobs.
This year, the ministry believes, this figure will exceed 900,000, said a press release.
“Our 7-point strategy in this regard is being implemented. New labour markets are being located with stress on welfare of the workers. For
instance, I've just returned from Oman where the market has opened up again after 12 years and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been
signed that will protect our workers' interests,” Iftekhar said.
The adviser observed that the signing of yet such an agreement with the UAE has helped expand our market greatly. “Today, on average 800-1000 workers are going there everyday.”
“The remittances are also increasing. The amount has already exceeded US $ 3 billion in the first four months. Again, at this rate, we could look at US$ 10 billion in this regard by the year-end,” he said.
“We also feel there's a need to upgrade skills to respond to changing demands, and our 37 Technical Training Centres (TTCs) are gearing up
themselves to that end,” the adviser stated.
He also said the problems of exploitation and harassment are also being addressed by our missions abroad who were given strict instructions to emphasise and ensure welfare of the workers.
He mentioned that action is also being taken by the Task Force and other law enforcing agencies.
“We may not be able to resolve all problems, but with the help of all concerned, I believe, we can improve the lot of our workers in many ways,” he said.