THE coronavirus fallout and slumping oil prices may lead to the deportation of up to 10 lakh Bangladeshi migrant workers from Saudi Arabia in the next three to five years. The Gulf country’s policy to replace 70 per cent of the foreign workers by its citizens within 2030 could be another reason for the deportation. Besides automation, Saudization would replace Bangladeshi workers by machine and Saudi citizens.
The Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh recently recommended the government seek alternative labour markets, possibly in African countries. It might be possible to employ about 40 lakh Bangladeshis in farming, aquaculture, livestock and different factories in African countries. Saudi authorities are introducing monthly fees for dependents of foreign workers and increasing the fees for residency permits as they are implementing the “Saudization policy” which was formulated in 2016. Record dip in oil prices would slow the development works in Saudi Arabia. Automation and requirement of skilled workers as factors that could lead to the deportation of Bangladeshi workers in the future.
According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training, in January and February this year, around 1.29 lakh Bangladeshis travelled abroad for employment and of them, 95,385 or 73.87 per cent went to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is rapidly introducing robotics and automation in all sectors, and even cleaning and maintenance jobs are being taken over by automation. Between 70 and 80 per cent of cleaners in the country are from Bangladesh and a large number of them are likely to be deemed redundant in the next few years.
Saudi Labour Ministry officials in a recent meeting made it clear that they will soon be recruiting only the skilled workers with valid certificates. The government should look into the matter seriously and form an expert committee to explore alternative labour markets. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the Saudi authorities have been deporting migrants from different countries. Besides, around two to three lakh Bangladeshis are staying in Saudi Arabia illegally. The Saudi government is planning to send all of them back in the next one and half years.
The government should immediately launch diplomatic efforts to stop the deportation. After the pandemic, the prime minister and foreign minister should consider visiting the countries where there are many Bangladeshi migrant workers.
