Expatriates’ welfare ministry urged to support migrants during pandemic

Awaj Foundation, a rights organisation working for migrants and garment workers, has urged the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment to relieve the distress of migrants at home and abroad during this Covid-19 pandemic.

Around 1.20 crore Bangladeshis working in different countries send $17 billion worth of remittance to the country every year, said a press statement issued by the organisation on Friday, adding but in the current coronavirus situation, they are having troubles in their respective host countries.

The most usual problems migrant workers are facing include job losses, leaves without pay, pay cut, and deaths from Covid-19, says the press release. They are also exposed to unfriendly attitude in the host countries.

The government has already taken various promotional schemes for the survival of several sectors in the country, the press release continued the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and Wage Earners Welfare Fund have already taken a laudable initiative to provide financial assistance to migrants in the Middle East and Europe.

The foundation, however, said it is also necessary to take certain steps to create a fund for the welfare of the 1.20 crore migrants and their families and urged the prime minister, through the expatriate welfare minister, to take steps to this end.

The press statement also suggested that the government should take initiatives to bring the migrants back and provide the necessary support to the families of the migrant workers, and arrange for creating employment opportunities for those migrants who have lost their jobs.