Migrant workers deserve humane treatment

Photo: Tanvir Ahmed / driknews

Imagine being hauled off to a foreign land in search of better economic prospects in harsh working conditions and poorly paid jobs. Imagine being subject to humiliation and harassment by your own countrymen. Yes, this is a situation our migrant workers have to face on a daily basis. My heart fills with sadness, and mostly anger, every time I witness how we, as a nation, treat migrant workers with such contempt in our airports. Our workers are made to wait for hours in long immigration queues and repeatedly harassed by airport authorities. We laugh and sneer at them when they ask for help. We look down on the very people we share the same flight with. How many of us are aware of the fact that these are the very same people who are one of the biggest contributors to our national economy?
They now face abuse and mistreatment even on their own soil. Our workers' lack of English language skill and hence, confidence, have led them to being open to exploitation. These people have probably never been on international flights before, and we ought to try and guide them along the way. It is our duty to correct their shortcomings.
The government must start a massive skill development programme which would enable our unskilled youths to pick up professional skills. Such programmes would see our migrant workers earn three times more and also greatly enhance our foreign exchange. We must stop exporting unskilled workers who are exploited, abused and left to lead a life in misery.