In this webinar, hosted in collaboration with the USAID Asia Counter Trafficking in Persons program implemented by Winrock International, we hear from panelists in Bangladesh where, due to flight suspensions, around 200,000 prospective migrants are stranded.
These migrants have already taken out loans and paid for their migration costs, but now have no way to pay them back. In addition, hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi workers living abroad have lost their jobs, leading to a 25% decrease in money sent back to their families over the past two months. Furthermore, millions of Bangladeshi migrants fear deportation or forced repatriation.
You hear from three panelists with direct experience of what's happening on the ground: a journalist who has worked on migration issues, a CSO currently assisting migrant populations, and a recruitment agency will share their thoughts on how aspiring labor migrants are navigating these unprecedented times, and the need for long-term reintegration, livelihood programs, and collaborative thinking.
Speakers:
Muhammad Owasim Uddin Bhuyan, New Age
Shakirul Islam, Migrant Assistance Development Program (OKUP)
Mahfujur Rahman, Max Management
Nazrul Islam (Moderator), USAID's Bangladesh Counter Trafficking-in-Persons Program
Full Summary
Update from Muhammad Owasim Uddin Bhuyan, New Age
Bangladesh is one of the most prominent labor sending countries in South Asia, with over 13 million migrants currently working abroad and over $16 billion remittances being sent back each year. The primary destinations for Bangladeshi migrants include Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Malaysia and Singapore. 80 percent of migrants are employed in the Middle East.
Due to flight suspensions during the COVID-19 pandemic, around 200 000 first-time migrants are stranded in Bangladesh. These migrants have already taken out loans and paid for their migration costs. In addition, hundreds of thousands have lost their jobs in their destination countries, leading to a 25 % decrease in remittance flows since March 2020.
Millions of migrants abroad now fear deportation or forced repatriation. So far, Kuwait and Bahrain have declared a general amnesty for all undocumented migrant workers, with those accepting the offer to be allowed re-entry into the country after being repatriated.
The Bangladeshi government takes a 3-step approach for returnees: 1) For immediate support, each returnee is given BDT 5000 ($ 70) upon return at the airport. The government has also 2) allocated BDT 2 Billion ($ 23.5 Million) for rehabilitation loans and 3) announced BDT 5 Billion ($ 58.8 Million) for long-term support of returnees.
Bangladesh sends mostly unskilled workers abroad that earn low wages and face numerous challenges. However, the cost of migration from Bangladesh is considered one of the most expensive in the world: the average migrant worker spends US$ 3640 for their recruitment and migration process, and up to US$ 8,000 to go to Saudi Arabia and more than US$ 10,000 to go to Singapore.
Update from Shakirul Islam, Migrant Assistance Development Program (OKUP)
According to OKUP data, 40 % of migrants currently face critical hardships due either to losing their jobs or not having been paid their regular salaries. One quarter of migrant families face a serious economic crisis with many of them having very limited or no access to food and other essentials.
The forced return of migrants will create a huge burden on the Bangladeshi Government to avoid mass unemployment and economic crisis. OKUP expects a heightened risk of human trafficking, forced labor and exploitation.
As a grassroots migrants’ organization, OKUP is involved in a number of initiatives during this time: OKUP has been advocating for a multi-stakeholder taskforce including the government, CSOs and migrant organizations to develop comprehensive reintegration guidelines and program implementation.
In addition, OKUP have been calling for:
A long-term reintegration program for the returnees as well as more livelihood programs, and skill trainings for potential and returnee migrants
Inclusion of the returned migrant workers, especially the most vulnerable ones, in the National Social Safety Net Programs (NSSPs) in the FY of 2020-2021 and a monthly allowance for the first few months upon arrival of the most vulnerable returned migrants; families of current migrants who are critically affected by COVID-19 need to be covered in the NSSPs as well
Social security coverage and universal pension scheme to Bangladeshis working abroad
Accountable and transparent labor recruitment act and practices
Establishment of an institutional legal justice mechanism (Special tribunal)
Update from Mahfujur Rahman, Max Management
Many migrants from Bangladesh work in West Asia, where economies have been hit by declining oil prices. As a result, many will be forced out of their jobs and will have to return home to unemployment. Due to the global recession it is unlikely that they will be able to return to work abroad until the global labour market recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Given the current situation, recruiting agencies have important work to do - to find new job placements in foreign country for returnee workers. Max Management’s Job Sourcing team has been very busy, however, worker demand is decreasing as employers are laying off their current workers. Recruiting agencies have to be very strategic to maintain relationships with their recruiting companies.
Recruiting agencies also need to communicate with their returned workers to inform them to maintain proper quarantine, as well as are aware of their rights to financial aid from the government. Max Management has also been dealing with disputing salary issues of the returnee workers as most of the workers had to leave without getting their remaining salaries.
A focus on developing opportunities for migrant workers is now more important than ever and requires collaboration and a collaborative mentality rather than a business one.
Q&A from the audience
Many migrant workers incur significant debt in the pre-departure phase. Now that many are being forced to come back home, should we expect a significant rise in forced labor and trafficking as an outcome of this?
Yes, probably. Unfortunately, that is to be expected.
Regarding the trend of labour migration, would you be able to share with us which industries Bangladeshi workers were recruited for? Are they the same industries in the Middle east and SEA (e.g. Malaysia and Singapore)?
Bangladeshi workers are mostly recruited to the Middle East for Domestic Work. Apart from that, many are engaged in the construction sector in Malaysia and Singapore.
When you present data on cost of migration, is it the same for women and men migrants?
We only have data for the cost of migration for male migrants. Women migrants do not (officially) need to pay for migration from Bangladesh.
You have mentioned that there is a 3-step reintegration of returnees. Can you please elaborate more on what step these are? What actions are included into the mid-term and long-term support of the returnees, you have mentioned in the presentation?
For immediate support, each returnee is provided with $70 on arrival in Bangladesh. For mid-term and long-term support, the government has allocated some money but the concrete actions and programs have not been made clear thus far.
Can you please share some information about female migrant workers in destination countries or who have returned to Bangladesh in last three months?
We have little information about returning female migrants. As they are employed to work inside home of the employer, they are facing more work during the lockdown because the whole family is home.
Does anyone know if any Bangladeshi migrants in Malaysia have been arrested or deported for being undocumented when trying to get tested or medical assistance for COIVD?
We have not received complaints yet about the arrest of any workers, but through our online discussions with some migrants in Bangladesh, there is a generalized fear of arrest without documents. If the police raid them they can be arrested any time.
Of the 40% of migrants facing critical hardship calling your hotline from overseas, can you give a breakdown of which destinatination countries are they calling from?
Saudi Arabia is at the top, then Malaysia and other Middle East countries.
Any suggestions on types of assistance to returned migrant workers? What would be your suggestion for the first time migrant workers who paid but cannot migrate?
The recruitment agency should return the money they had taken from the migrants as migration costs.
What is your forecast on the quality of recruitment once the deployment of workers resumes? Will costs be higher? lower?
The current recruitment system may not ensure quality. The Government of Bangladesh must issue new rules for the recruitment in this new COVID-19 context and we must demand to ensure 'zero' migration costs. We need strong advocacy in this regard.
What is your assessment on the likelihood of achieving these new rules before recruitment resumes?
It is less likely. This is because the government's position is to send people and the recruiting agents (BAIRA) holds good lobbying capacity as many of them are directly linked with political parties.