The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury on Sunday stressed the need for ensuring Bangladesh's due share of jobs abroad.

Inaugurating a three-day training "Workshop for Labour Attaches," jointly organised by the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment and International Organisation of Migration (IOM) at a hotel, he said labour attaches have to remain vigilant not only about current jobs but also about future employment opportunities.

Dr. Iftekhar, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, said the information which the labour attaches would provide help develop the skills required for new jobs in the destination countries.

Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriate welfare and Overseas Employment Abdul Matin Chowdhury and Country Representative of IOM Ms Rubub Fatima also addressed the function, which was participated by a good number of labour attaches serving in Bangladesh Missions abroad.

In this context, Dr. Iftekhar said remittances from more than four million Bangladeshis living overseas, now exceed 10 per cent of the country's GDP. This, he said, is nearly five times larger than the ODA and ten times larger than the FDI the country received last year. He emphasised the need for pursuing coherent and consistent policies to realise the full potentials.

The foreign adviser said the labour attaches have to play pro-active role and build rapport with employers so that " Bangladeshi workers become their default choice".

Migrant workers, he said, often face discrimination, maltreatment and abuse in the host countries. He said often just a sympathetic hearing from an official can alleviate some of their sufferings.

He said we must not allow our workers to sink in misery, without receiving necessary assistance from the relevant officials of Bangladesh missions.

Dr. Iftekhar said that the country does not expect that the labour attaches would be able to solve all their problems, but they are expected to remain compassionate at all time.

The relevant officials, he said, are expected to use their negotiating skills regarding fair treatment and living wage of the workers.

Dr. Iftekhar said there is need for building a broad coalition to set a mutually agreed minimum living wages for the migrant workers. This, he said, will have a significant welfare enhancing effect.

He said there is need for concerted efforts so that the countries of origin do not undercut each other. He stressed the need for intensifying diplomatic efforts not just vis-a-vis the government counterparts, but also vis-a-vis the employers and their colleagues in other missions.

The adviser said despite full liberalisation in goods and capital markets, the integration of labour markets, still face insurmountable challenges. While foreign capitals receive preferential treatment, foreign labour often faces negative discrimination, he said.

He said there should be renewed efforts to put labour and capital at par and host countries must not take foreign labour for granted. He said they must ensure that the migrant workers receive full national treatment without discrimination.