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[๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉ] Manpower Export: Prospects and Challenges.
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Bangladesh, Singapore seek transparent, cost-effective worker migration
Welfare of migrant workers a priority of govt, says Lutfey Siddiqi

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Bangladesh and Singapore today discussed ways in which the two countries could work together to further improve the end-to-end journey of prospective workers, help reduce costs, and enhance transparency.

Chief Adviser's Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi made a courtesy call on Singapore Minister of Manpower Dr Tan See Leng at the latter's office in Singapore and discussed the issues.

Siddiqi expressed gratitude for the professional approach to care that Singapore took towards migrant workers, as exemplified in the provision of healthcare.

Tan in turn expressed appreciation for migrant workers, including Bangladeshis in the construction sector, for their significant contributions to Singapore.

Siddiqi updated Tan, who is also Singapore's second minister for trade and industry, on the progress in the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two countries.

He expressed the hope that this would lead to a wider set of skills and sectors in which Bangladeshi talent can contribute.

Earlier, Siddiqi inaugurated a new online attestation service for IPAs at the Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore.

IPAs, or In-Principle Approvals, are preliminary work permits issued by the Singapore government.

As part of the recruitment process, Bangladesh requires that IPAs be seen and approved by a competent officer at the Bangladesh mission.

Prospective employers and their agents have long complained about the administrative burden of physically visiting the Bangladesh mission for this part of the process. With the introduction of the new online solution, this process can be completed entirely online.

Siddiqi, in a meeting with some representatives of Bangladeshi workers in Singapore, committed to addressing their grievances, said the chief adviser's press wing.

Subsequently, an inter-ministerial group, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Singapore, ensured that the online solution, which was stalled for a few years, was delivered within a few weeks.

"Both the Chief Adviser Professor Yunus and Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul have identified the welfare of migrant workers as a key priority of this government," said the special envoy.

"We are working to improve the airport experience and passport service, monitor airfares, and generally act more responsively to their concerns. While there is a lot more work that needs to be done, it is encouraging to see some positive results," Lutfey Siddiqi said.​
 
We need to protect our migrant workers before it's too late

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Photo: Pexels/Anjan Karki

The plight of Bangladeshi migrant workers remains marred with hardship, exploitation, and tragedy, as reflected in the record-breaking 4,813 dead bodies repatriated in 2024. Behind this staggering number lies a grim reality: young lives extinguished far too soon, leaving behind grieving families and communities. These deaths are not isolated incidents but part of a broader narrative of systemic neglect and exploitation that continues to plague the lives of these labourers.

For decades, Bangladeshi workers have been the backbone of labour markets across the Gulf and Southeast Asia, often enduring grueling conditions with little to no support. They live in substandard accommodations, face unsafe workplaces, and remain under relentless pressure to recoup the exorbitant costs they incurred to migrate. This pressure drives many to work excessive hours, often at the expense of their health and well-being. As a result, heart attacks, strokes, and other stress-related ailments are commonly cited as causes of death in official records. However, these death certificates rarely tell the full story.\

An in-depth look into their lives reveals the physical and mental toll of their circumstances. Long hours under harsh conditions, combined with poor nutrition and limited access to healthcare, create a perfect storm of vulnerability. Many of these workers also face abusive treatment, psychosocial stress, and chronic health risks like hypertension and kidney disease, as highlighted in the 2022 report by the Vital Signs Partnership. Yet, the causes of these deaths remain "effectively unexplained," buried under layers of bureaucratic indifference and systemic failure.

Adding to their woes is the exploitation they endure at the hands of recruitment agencies and middlemen. Many workers are cheated and abandoned, left to navigate foreign lands without the promised support or resources. They invest their life savings, often by selling assets or taking out loans, only to find themselves trapped in cycles of debt and exploitation. In such a dire situation, their untimely deaths are not just a personal loss but a devastating blow to their families, who depend on their remittances for survival.

Addressing this crisis requires urgent and coordinated action from multiple stakeholders. The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must work together to establish robust monitoring mechanisms for migrant workers. This includes ensuring workplace safety, improving accommodation standards, and providing regular health check-ups. A proactive approach could save countless lives by identifying and addressing risks before they escalate.

Bangladeshi missions abroad also have a critical role to play. They must act as advocates for the rights and welfare of migrant workers, ensuring that their grievances are heard and addressed. This involves collaborating with host countries to enforce labour laws and holding employers accountable for mistreatment or unsafe conditions. Missions should also offer support services, including counseling and legal assistance, to help workers navigate challenges in unfamiliar environments.

Furthermore, there needs to be greater investment in pre-departure training programmes that prepare workers for the realities of migration. These programmes should include health awareness campaigns, financial literacy training, and information on workers' rights. Such initiatives could empower migrants to better protect themselves and make informed decisions about their lives abroad.

As a nation, Bangladesh owes its migrant workers more than mere acknowledgment of their remittances. They are the unsung heroes of our economy, and their sacrifices deserve respect and protection. Behind every number in the repatriation statistics is a human story -- of dreams, resilience, and heartbreak. The government, civil society, and international community must come together to ensure that these stories no longer end in tragedy.

Hasan Meer is a journalist at The Daily Star​

Look bro., I want to give you a very sincere advice from the heart. Restrict Islamic radicalism and promote education. There is no way out.
 
Look bro., I want to give you a very sincere advice from the heart. Restrict Islamic radicalism and promote education. There is no way out.

Hindu Radicalism in India (and Muslim-hate) is the growing problem. Yet Muslims remain devout Indian patriots as ever. I'd say some of these Muslims (bless their innocent hearts) are deluded.

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Adult Literacy (Swakkharik rate) is actually higher in Bangladesh than India. India's Cow-belt BIMARU states need it. We don't.

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Hindu Radicalism in India (and Muslim-hate) is the growing problem. Yet Muslims remain devout Indian patriots as ever. I'd say some of these Muslims (bless their innocent hearts) are deluded.

View attachment 15254

Adult Literacy (Swakkharik rate) is actually higher in Bangladesh than India. India's Cow-belt BIMARU states need it. We don't.

View attachment 15253

Muslim hate is a global phenomenon. It has emerged as a reaction of what Muslims do everywhere including in Islamic and Muslim nations. Iran hangs over 250 per year. Majority of them are Sunni Muslims. Saudi beheads almost same number of people and a big part of them is Shia clerics. In Pakistan, all those who are involved in terrorist attack are Muslims. In India, all terrorist attacks are done by Muslims. In UK, majority of those who are involved in racial crime and rape of teen girls are Muslims. China rightly said that Islam is a mental disease. In Syria, Asad bombed all Sunni mosques. There are countless examples. After doing all this, you guys cry why people hate you.
 
Muslim hate is a global phenomenon. It has emerged as a reaction of what Muslims do everywhere including in Islamic and Muslim nations. Iran hangs over 250 per year. Majority of them are Sunni Muslims. Saudi beheads almost same number of people and a big part of them is Shia clerics. In Pakistan, all those who are involved in terrorist attack are Muslims. In India, all terrorist attacks are done by Muslims. In UK, majority of those who are involved in racial crime and rape of teen girls are Muslims. China rightly said that Islam is a mental disease. In Syria, Asad bombed all Sunni mosques. There are countless examples. After doing all this, you guys cry why people hate you.

Thank You for the Islam-hating propaganda in the holiest month of Islam, which is Ramadan.

As befits this month, I will avoid engaging you in return and hope that your Lords bestow upon you the divine patience and Rahma (benevolence) to see your fellow man as your equal and not hate on them, like all Hindutva people do.

Please do not associate the word "Muslim" with "Terrorists".

Terrorists are not Muslims. Period.

The second they decide to kill another human being (or even maim anyone), they are outside the ambit of Islam and cannot call themselves "Muslim" any longer.

 

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