It is highly frustrating that Kuwait government has not only put the halt on recruitment it has also imposed certain conditions under which the employer must own a house and others assets. Many wonder that the Kuwait government has just reopened the market for Bangladeshi workers in April of 2014 after a ban for long seven years. We have always said and saying again that there is no alternative to development of local job market so that our younger people can find employment here without going to others door to work and earn their livelihood. It can only be possible if Bangladesh can overcome the power struggle between two major parties to set the economy straight.
Kuwait had stopped taking Bangladeshi workers in 2006 raising different allegations such as involvement in crimes. Why it is this time we don’t know. We believe that the government must take the issue with Kuwait government, because its negative action may damage our image at other markets. Together with manpower export quandary, Bangladesh is now facing sharp decline in remittance flow, which may pose a serious threat to reserves. It will not only bring setback to balance of payment but also in the rural economy where most families live on remittance from their relatives working in the Middle East.
Among all other Middle East countries, Kuwait has world’s sixth largest oil reserves. But it is understood that the sharp decline in oil price in international market may have led the government of Kuwait to take this sudden decision to impose ban on the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers. It is evident that Kuwait government has imposed this ban at a time when Bangladeshi migrant workers are having tough time in some other Middle East countries and also European countries for anti-immigration sentiment.
It is very sad that the virtual closure of Kuwait manpower market may stir up worries among many people preparing to Kuwait on job permits. Manpower recruitment agencies are also supposed to face depression. The setback has also come when Malaysian market has also suffered setback. We believe the brotherly government of Kuwait can’t do anything that will singularly affect Bangladesh’s interest.
