Take initiative to stop harassment of migrant workers: Awaj Foundation

The Awaj Foundation has urged ministries concerned including the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment to take necessary actions to stop all forms of harassment of Bangladeshi migrant workers who are on holiday.

The organisation has also drawn the attention of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in this regard, reads a press release.

The Awaj Foundation, an organisation of working people, is deeply concerned that Bangladeshi migrant workers on holiday have not been able to return to work for six to eight months due to the closure of global flights amid global disaster Covid-19, causing financial sufferings.

Moreover, they have been worrying about the expiration of service period, visa period and return air ticket. With limited flights available at present, immigrants are eager to return to work soon. 

However, due to a group of dishonest officials and employees, all the immigrants are facing various complications to return to work. 

The prime minister has taken initiative to provide various types of incentives worth Tk700 crore including a priority-based plan for the overall welfare of the affected Bangladeshi migrant workers in Covid-19. 

However, many airlines are demanding two to three times higher fares by ignoring the return tickets of the migrants. Besides, many foreign trips are being disrupted due to not getting the Covid-19 test certificate on time or due to the wrong certificate.

 In this scenario, the Awaj Foundation has demanded quick-hassle-free accurate Covid-19 test certificate for all immigrant workers, purchase of air ticket at an acceptable minimum price and providing loan for the purchase of air ticket on easy terms from Expatriate Welfare Bank.