The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

A spokesman of the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment yesterday refuted the report published in a section of the press that the Bangladeshi manpower market abroad is shrinking and said the available statistics prove this to be incorrect.

The spokesman said on the contrary there has been a phenomenal expansion of the market.

In the last one year, the spokesman said, the number of workers who have been cleared to go abroad was 8,32,000 as against 3,81,000 of the previous year.

In January and February this year a total of 1,59,000 people have gone compared to 78,000 in the corresponding period of the last year, the spokesman said.

Despite some contradictory reports, workers continued to find jobs in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia in the recent weeks, he said.

To Saudi Arabia in February alone, 20,200 people have already gone, and the flow continues, he said. A total of 10,956 found jobs in Malaysia in February, he said and the flow is continuing.

As to reports of problems faced by Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia, the spokesman said Saudi authorities have denied that any particular community has been targeted for legal action, or alleged harassment.

The Saudis have categorically stated that Saudi authorities have not been influenced by propaganda by any community against another.

The ministry in Dhaka has been making appeals to all members of the Bangladeshi community in Saudi Arabia to abide by Saudi laws so that the majority do not suffer for the mistakes of a few.

The Bangladesh ambassador in Riyadh has been making contacts with the Saudi government and high level visits to that country and discussions with their authorities are being planned.

"We must work together in a way that the host government is not unduly embarrassed," the spokesman stressed. In fact at this very moment a Saudi Company from Dallah Group is recruiting a large number of technical and professional workers in Dhaka, he said.

Regarding Malaysia, the spokesman said measures have already been taken to reduce difficulties faced by Bangladeshi labour. The Adviser in charge, Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, in a recent brief visit to that country had discussions with senior Malaysian officials. Formal bilateral consultations are on the cards soon between Bangladesh and Malaysia, he said.

New markets in other countries, including in Europe, are being identified. All Bangladeshi missions abroad have been instructed to accord the highest priority to the welfare of Bangladeshis, he said.

Efforts are also underway to upgrade skills and quality of Bangladeshi manpower for better jobs.

A multi-pronged programme in this regard has been undertaken by the ministry and its agencies.

The government acknowledges the huge contribution of the expatriate community to the nation's development, and will make every effort to advance the welfare of expatriate Bangladeshis, the spokesman said.

This sector requires careful planning, and the ministry is doing that, he said.