Why must female migrant workers return empty-handed?

A new batch of 340 female migrant workers has returned home in the month of April to impart the usual depressing tales of exploitation, harassment and broken dreams. These unfortunate workers had spent large sums of money and foregone the love and affection of family in hope of saving some money from their wages abroad to secure happiness and a future. But, as is often the case, the reality turned out to be something tragically different.

The accounts of sexual harassment of female workers by foreign employers are unheeded by local police there, if and when complaints are lodged. It is discernible from first-hand accounts that female migrant workers feel at a loss, finding no sympathisers in the foreign surroundings, which eventually take a severe toll on their physical and mental health. The returnee female workers usually display tell-tale signs of distress upon landing in Dhaka.

The exploitation and coercion of migration aspirants by dubious agents and sub-agents for more money begins right from the time they hand over their passports to them, and such depraved activities continue until the date of their departure. Since the stories of Bangladeshi returnee female migrant workers sound so similar, one wonders why the government has not attempted to seek the root of the issue and establish the safety and dignity of these workers. In this regard, tangible steps should be taken by the respective ministries and Bangladesh missions abroad against oppressive employers and the Bangladeshi recruitment agent(s) who work on their behalf.

We believe the "zero cost" migration agreement with Saudi Arabia for Bangladeshi female workers is a praiseworthy bilateral contract, which would help in achieving the much-needed economic emancipation of women migrants to a large extent. As per the agreement, if female workers could work unhindered for two years and return home with sufficient savings, they would be able to invest the money in a revenue generating project. Since women empowerment is the prime focus here, we feel both the Saudi Arabian and Bangladeshi governments should take up measures to make it easier and safer for women to work in Saudi Arabia. In this regard the Bangladesh mission there should be given the responsibility to look after the interest of Bangladeshi nationals to the best of their ability.