Reza Mahmud :
Malaysia expatriates stranded in Bangladesh warned of starting movement seeking governments efforts for their return in jobs.
At least 25,000 diaspora workers in Malaysia came to the country several times last year, but became stranded due to worldwide covid-19 pandemic.
“We have failed to get any help from the government whereas the Saudi Arabia expatriates got cooperations from the state,” said Ismail Mohammad, one of the organizers of the movement.
He said, without agitation the government may not pay heed to us.
Ismail said that they tried to attain government’s help to return to jobs in Malaysia and that is why formed human chains and different programmes last September and November.
They contacted officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment several times to address their problems.
But, they failed to get any help from the government in this regards.
The diasporas also tried personally to return to their respective jobs but failed mostly. Finally, they decided to start movement demanding their safe return to jobs in the country.
They decided to form a human chain in front of the National Press Club on June 1.
They would place demands including vaccination on priority basis of passports, to increase diplomatic activities with Kuala Lumpur for their returning work there, and to get government surcharges for hotel quarantine in Malaysia. Ismail Mohammad and other Malaysia expatriates said that most of them are in serious financial crisis due to staying unemployed for long in home.
“We have become empty pocket and most of us become very needy and passing days with getting loans from here and there,” Akash Mian, a Malaysia expatriate, said.
He said if the government does not take any diplomatic effort to return us to the work, many of the returnees will become vulnerable.
Ismail Mohammad said, “Government has taken initiatives for Saudi expatriates which is a very good task. It has decided to bear costs of quarantines in hotel in Saudi Arabia which would be very helpful for the diasporas.”
“But it should not be only for Saudi Arab diasporas, such initiatives needs for the case of Malaysia and other countries migrate workers too,” Ismail Mohammad said.
Imran Ahmed, Minister of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, could not be contacted of phone to get his comment on this regards.
Sources said, flights between Bangladesh and Malaysia remained suspended from March last year.
For this, thousands of Bangladesh expatriates to Malaysia become stranded in home for long.
