Govt signs agreements with 22 law firms of 13 countries to protect women workers: Nurul Haque

State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque said the government has signed agreements with 22 law firms of 13 countries to provide legal assistance to Bangladeshi migrant workers, particularly women workers.

He said the government operates two "safe homes" in Saudi Arabia with funding from the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment to protect women workers. The government will gradually arrange similar legal assistance in more countries.

The state minister made the remarks while replying to a supplementary question from ruling party lawmaker Mst. Sanjida Yasmin from reserved women's seat-31 in parliament today (3 September).

He said Bangladeshi women workers mainly work in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries. Women workers from Bangladesh also work in housekeeping and caregiving sectors in Hong Kong and several other countries.

"Although Bangladeshi women workers faced harassment in some Middle Eastern countries in the past, such incidents have declined significantly compared to earlier," he said.

Nurul Haque said Bangladeshi workers, both women and men, can seek legal remedies through the contracted law firms if they face abuse or harassment by employers abroad.

He said Oman also has a safe home for Bangladeshi workers, while workers can lodge complaints through two call centres operated by the ministry.

The state minister said the government has taken various initiatives to expand overseas employment opportunities and ensure the safety and rights of Bangladeshi migrant workers, particularly women.

Replying to another supplementary question from ruling party reserved women's seat MP Nipun Roy Chowdhury, he said the government has sent a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) to Oman for signing after assuming office.

"Once the MoU is signed, it will create new employment opportunities for Bangladeshis in Oman's labour market," he said.

He said the government has been collecting manpower demand letters through Bangladeshi missions in different countries to fulfil its electoral pledge of creating one crore employment opportunities.

"Based on the demand for specific categories of skilled workers in different countries, we are preparing the country's technical training centres accordingly," he said.

Nurul Haque said Qatar's labour minister visited Bangladesh from 17 to 18 May. During the visit, the two sides reached an understanding to specially prepare five technical training centres in five trades according to Qatar's requirements and recruit workers from those centres.

He further said Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) sent 7,683 garment workers to Jordan over the past six months. The workers received employment under the direct supervision of the relevant Jordanian authorities.

Regarding the United Arab Emirates, he said although the country's labour market remains somewhat constrained, a Dubai-based taxi company recruited 600 drivers from Bangladesh.

"Various other companies are gradually showing interest in recruiting workers from Bangladesh. We are preparing trained workers according to their requirements," he said.

Replying to another supplementary question from opposition Jamaat-e-Islami MP from Nilphamari-3 Obaidullah Salafi, the state minister said Saudi Arabian law enforcement agencies and officials of the Bangladesh Embassy are working jointly against unscrupulous groups involved in deceiving or holding Bangladeshi workers hostage.

"If any Bangladeshi is found involved in such activities, necessary action will be taken against the person after their return to Bangladesh," he said.

Replying to another supplementary question from ruling party reserved women's seat-25 MP Mst. Suraiya Zerin, Nurul Haque said reducing migration costs for sending workers abroad remains a government priority.

He said the government prepared a draft cost structure for overseas employment in 2013. The structure is now being updated considering changes in the foreign exchange rate, particularly the US dollar exchange rate, and the overall situation.

"After updating the cost structure, we will focus on its implementation," he said.

Explaining the process for ensuring jobs for workers abroad, the state minister said when a foreign company submits a demand letter to recruit workers from Bangladesh, the labour welfare wing of the Bangladesh mission in the concerned country verifies it.

The verification covers the workers' job responsibilities, salaries, accommodation and other facilities. After completing the verification, the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) issues clearance.

"Workers who go abroad with BMET clearance face comparatively fewer job-related problems," he said. 

However, he said some misuse occurs under a provision that allows visas or demand letters for one to five workers to receive approval through the embassy without attestation in special cases.

"The ministry is considering necessary measures to prevent such misuse," Nurul Haque said.