Due to the world economy being badly affected by coronavirus, millions of Bangladeshi migrant workers are at high risk of losing their jobs.
The country's overseas job market and the remittance inflow are likely to be severely affected and already a large number of Bangladeshi migrants have lost their jobs. Many migrant workers are experiencing pay cuts as industries in large number have been shut down due to the pandemic.
Though documented workers are being provided basic wages despite the shutdown, undocumented workers are getting nothing. The working hours in many sectors have been cut down, resulting in reduced earnings for many.
Bangladeshi migrant workers who came to visit the country on holiday are unable to return as most countries have imposed travel bans to prevent the spread of the virus.
Migrant workers in Middle Eastern countries are suffering greatly and are being forced to stay at home as their workplaces are closed.
There should be increased emphasis on
providing financial and logistic support
to migrant workers in these trying times.
Several Middle Eastern countries are also likely to deport Bangladeshi workers due to the economic downturn. Already the Bangladeshi embassies in those countries have communicated their fears of workers being deported to the foreign ministry.
Fuel price falling sharply has led to a downturn in the economies of countries, including Saudi Arabia. These countries are thinking of keeping the wheel of their economies afloat by reducing the number of migrant workers.
Remittance from expatriates is one of the main pillars of the Bangladesh economy. With the so many migrants at the risk of losing their jobs, the country’s economy is likely to be severely affected.
The government should therefore make plans in advance to send manpower abroad when the crisis ends. Authorities should lead discussions with countries in different regions in order to diversify Bangladesh’s labour market.
For now, there should be increased emphasis on providing financial and logistic support to migrant workers in these trying times.