FEMALE migrant workers from South Asian countries to the Middle East are often underpaid and overworked, besides facing physical violence and sexual abuse. A joint study conducted by UN Women and International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed the helplessness of many South Asian women and girls serving as domestic help in Middle East countries due to absence of standard contracts. What is noticeable is that with the growing number of female migrants the associated vulnerabilities is also on the rise. We must say this is not only a legitimate human rights issue but also a case of national shame because such migrant workers including thousands Bangladeshi women are open to such exploit. It must stop it and that needs comprehensive contracts and assurance from employing countries that they would give legal protection against exploitation at work place including sexual abuse.
It is undeniable that domestic workers perform services contributing to the formal economy of employing nations and also back in countries sending them. At present, India is the largest sending country (at 747,000 workers), followed by Pakistan (623,000 workers), Nepal (454,000 workers), Bangladesh (409,000 workers) and Sri Lanka (282,000 workers). However, we don’t know much about the work environment with a family. Their protection is also missing in the legal system of the employing countries. Many governments yet to accord full recognition of legal protection and more so equal protection under labour laws. Besides, there is a colossal gap between the standard terms of employment and contracts that are used for female labor migration. Without addressing the gaps that exist in the current female labour migration, making an idealistic contract is not possible.
While it is widely acknowledged that female migration along with male; are making multi-dimensional positive contribution on socio-economic development on both sides women vulnerability to abuse and exploitation remains the biggest risk. They continue to face problems in the entire migration cycle, in the countries of origin, during transit and at end destination. It is the shared responsibility of all the stakeholders – the private sector recruiting agencies, employers, and countries of origin, people at transit process and international agencies to protect workers from all forms of exploitation. Their safety must be ensured.
Women migrant workers in the first place must be able to make informed choices about their employment, they must be able to understand and give consent to their contracts, and be confident that those contracts meet certain standards and will be respected or enforced.
The government of the Middle East countries must create well-cared working environment within families. Our labour attaché at foreign missions must be equally vigilant to give safety to female workers. Many East Asian countries have already reduced female workers in the light of abuse in employing countries. Bangladesh must pursue a cautious policy in this respect.
It is undeniable that domestic workers perform services contributing to the formal economy of employing nations and also back in countries sending them. At present, India is the largest sending country (at 747,000 workers), followed by Pakistan (623,000 workers), Nepal (454,000 workers), Bangladesh (409,000 workers) and Sri Lanka (282,000 workers). However, we don’t know much about the work environment with a family. Their protection is also missing in the legal system of the employing countries. Many governments yet to accord full recognition of legal protection and more so equal protection under labour laws. Besides, there is a colossal gap between the standard terms of employment and contracts that are used for female labor migration. Without addressing the gaps that exist in the current female labour migration, making an idealistic contract is not possible.
While it is widely acknowledged that female migration along with male; are making multi-dimensional positive contribution on socio-economic development on both sides women vulnerability to abuse and exploitation remains the biggest risk. They continue to face problems in the entire migration cycle, in the countries of origin, during transit and at end destination. It is the shared responsibility of all the stakeholders – the private sector recruiting agencies, employers, and countries of origin, people at transit process and international agencies to protect workers from all forms of exploitation. Their safety must be ensured.
Women migrant workers in the first place must be able to make informed choices about their employment, they must be able to understand and give consent to their contracts, and be confident that those contracts meet certain standards and will be respected or enforced.
The government of the Middle East countries must create well-cared working environment within families. Our labour attaché at foreign missions must be equally vigilant to give safety to female workers. Many East Asian countries have already reduced female workers in the light of abuse in employing countries. Bangladesh must pursue a cautious policy in this respect.
