Remittance takes a nosedive

The half yearly data from January - June 2013 shows a reduction of more than 50 per cent in number of people who went abroad as migrant workers over the same period last year. Despite claims that this has to do with a downturn in demand for our workers abroad, the fact that we have done little by way of diplomatic measures to convince traditional foreign markets to lift restrictions, particularly, in the Middle East has had much to do with the situation.
The notorious malpractices that are synonymous with private recruiting agencies have not been addressed. Consequently, restrictions on entry of Bangladeshi workers into Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the UAE remain. In a bid to circumvent the exorbitant sums charged by private recruiting agencies, the State got involved in government-to-government arrangement, as has been the case with Malaysia. Although much hype surrounded Malaysia's potential on becoming the next big export market for Bangladeshi labour, a mere 198 workers have gone to that country since 2009. The Malaysia experience sticks out like a sore thumb in terms of capacity of authorities to deal with the situation.
Unless the government is able to address valid concerns Mid-East governments have on the issues of visa trading and other dubious activities, there is little reason for a rebound in those numbers. Equally distressing it is to find authorities' nonchalance in exploring non-traditional markets. With nearly US$15 billion flowing in during the last fiscal, a downturn due primarily to laid back attitude is something that needs to be overcome.