Manpower recruiters demanded a high-level investigation to identify the 'syndicate', which was responsible for the present crisis of air flights and increasing airfares.
They also suggested forming a high-powered regulatory board from the Prime Minister Office to check the 'ticket syndicate' and stop malpractices regarding airfares.
The recruiters placed the demands from a human chain in front of the National Press Club in the city on Thursday. The event was organised by the General Recruiting Agencies' Owners.
They sought increasing the number of flights of all airlines, including Biman Bangladesh, to solve the present crisis of sending workers to their destinations on time.
They also demanded fixing affordable airfares for workers, as a significant number of them were facing troubles to go to their job destinations in different countries due to high airfares.
Although the demand for workers from various countries is about 5,000 a day currently, the agencies can send about 3,000 due to scarcity of air flights. If the number of flights is not enhanced along with ensuring affordable airfares, a large number of workers might lose their jobs.
The airfares of different routes to the Middle-Eastern countries have recently been increased to Tk 75,000-90,000 from Tk 30,000-40,000.
The recruiters said airfares had increased about three times in the last two weeks. So, they could not send required number of workers to the Middle-Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia - the key job market.
The manpower recruiters also urged the government to introduce special labour fares for migrant workers.
