Migrant workers' future

WE express our deep concern at the looming likelihood of mass scale retrenchment of migrant workers around the world as a fallout of the global economic recession. Our concern is primarily based on the forecast of the International Labour Organization (ILO) of worsening conditions for migrant workers in the present economic state of affairs.
Shutting the door on productive migrant workforce would be the worst thing to happen. After all, the story of massive development in the rich countries is the story of millions of comparatively cheaper migrant workers contributing immensely with their hard labour and skill. On the other side of the divide, millions of families in the poor and developing countries depend on remittances sent by the migrant workers for their sustenance. Any setback, therefore, will result in starvation of the members of these families. Already the impact of layoffs is being felt in countries like Bangladesh, which send a large number of semi-skilled and skilled workers to various destinations. Remittances to Bangladesh are likely to reach $8.9 billion in the current fiscal because of global retrenchment, though the projected target was $10 billion. This will no doubt put pressure on the country's foreign currency reserves in the coming days.
Fearing a major social and economic turmoil following large scale retrenchment of migrant workers, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has already issued a statement that we believe developed countries should take into immediate consideration. It says that as the 'economic crisis is yet to unfold totally, its full impact remains unknown. Therefore, it would be unproductive for the developed countries to close their doors to migrants.' Though the IOM has spoken for all migrants it no doubt addresses the plight of the migrant workers in the present context.
There are also important steps that need to be taken at the national level in our country. The focus must be on an enhancement of the skills of the workers we send abroad since at present they happen to be at the lowest rung of the job ladder abroad. In this regard, we note the advantages that can be had from sending our nurses abroad. Unfortunately, training of nurses is something that has not happened because most universities cannot provide such training, again because they do not have medical schools attached to them. But it is a problem that can be tackled by the existing universities, public as well as private, through using the facilities of existing medical schools or colleges. In other words, a more creative use of nursing facilities, and similar facilities, can be thought of. It is time for a rethink on our part.