A NATIONAL daily reported that at least 3,480 Bangladeshi workers died abroad in 2017, mostly due to stroke or heart attack. Unbearable physical and mental stress, workload, malnutrition, ill health care, thin sleep and rest time, and unhygienic living decrease the life expectancy of the Bangladeshi expatriates workers working in the Middle East countries. Neither the government of Bangladesh nor the host countries or international organizations look after their safety. Our government is too happy with foreign remittance, but our missions feel no duty or obligation to ensure proper atmosphere for the migrant workers.
Of the corpses, 3,429 were brought home through official channels while 51 workers bodies were buried in the host countries, mainly in Libya, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Rights campaigners said the death of so many young workers abroad is a matter of concern. The burden of debt caused by the high cost of migration played a big role in causing deaths in the prime of life. Hostile workplace atmosphere also remains a key factor in their early deaths. Many workers, age ranging 25-35, died of brain stroke, heart attack or sudden death. Experts suggest the government for taking the migrants’ health issue, workplace safety, health insurance and other benefits to the table of diplomatic talks.
The inbound coffin of migrant workers is not the story behind the remittance that drives the economy and each year economic growth. At least 369 female migrant workers who faced abuse, torture, and other job-related problems have taken refuge in the safe home of Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh since September last year. The embassy has arranged exit visas for 331 female workers with some were being repatriated and others would be sent in batches by February. Exorbitant working hours, low wage, starvation, abuse, physical and sexual harassment, ill health, unhygienic living and many other relating matters have become pain of migrant workers. The remitters are violated in abroad inhumanely while the government runs the state by their remittance and the economy is boosting. And strangely, the earners are not a subject matter to the government. Either the government should take a bold step against the incident of torture and protect the migrant workers, especially women, or abstain from sending female to abroad, where they usually lose their honor and life.
The labor attaché in the countries, missions, and embassies must feel that their special responsibility is to look after of our workers abroad whose remittance so essential for easy life of the officials in foreign missions. Neglecting common men has become a bad habit.
