THE relocation of Bangladesh embassy from Libya to Tunis, the capital of neighbouring Tunisia, has left the Bangladeshi nationals almost unprotected in Libya at the moment. Over 40,000 Bangladeshi nationals still live in Libya where a prolonged civil war has made their life extremely uncertain amidst persisting violence and lawlessness. Reports said thugs fired upon 12 Bangladeshi nationals on Tuesday leaving four of them in critical condition. Many workers have already returned home, but many others remained stranded or still unwilling to return because they have no money or valid travel documents to leave the country. In this situation many are endangering life in risky journey by sea to Italy and drowning in the Mediterranean. Migrants who are still in Libya often lose their savings to robbers or armed groups or even civilians take advantage of the absolute chaos to exploit and mislead them in their move to find safety. In our view, it is high time the government must take steps through Bangladesh embassy in Tunis to bring those people who want to come home giving them whatever support they need in the process. They have sent enough remittance to help the country; it is time they must be helped to come out of the danger threatening their life.
The situation has worsened after money transfer agencies shut their services over a year ago. Migrant workers are unable to send money through legal and trusted channels and carrying money is also risky in a situation surrounded by thugs and warring militants fighting each other. Libya has already halted recruiting workers from Bangladesh and the relocation of the embassy in neighbouring Tunisia has left the migrants almost unprotected. Meanwhile, many foreign companies have closed their shutters and their workers from countries like Egypt, Chad, Ghana have left Libya. But most Bangladeshi workers have been left in the dilemma whether to return home where they will have no job or stay in the war ravaged country. The other option is to migrate to Europe in risky journey by sea.
Libya shows the spectacular circumstances about how Bangladeshi workers in a prosperous country have to become unsafe and jobless and fighting for safety. Long-term plans are needed to avoid similar humanitarian problems working ahead of such tragedy affect our workers. The government must have protection and evacuation plans when such situation may ever develop again. In the prevailing situation consulate services must be more accessible with efficient officers who will assist those in need.
It is very sad that there is no physical presence of Bangladesh government in Libya at the moment to addresses the needs of our workers. Bangladesh government must give tickets and travel documents to those who want to come home. Others must be held in touch with embassy to give them the feeling that the embassy is watching their safety constantly.
