Loading...

Virus to put a dent in overseas employment

'It may also create scopes for migration'


| Updated: April 07, 2020 08:14:41


Reuters file photo Reuters file photo

The country's overseas employment sector would face a blow for a long period of time due to coronavirus pandemic, according to a prediction by RMMRU.

It said the inward remittances might decline in coming days, badly affecting the beneficiary households, shrinking their purchasing capacity and ultimately holding back the country's economic growth.

Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) made the projection at an online press conference on Saturday.

The inflow of remittances has already dropped by 12 per cent in the first three months compared to that of the previous year, it pointed out.

Tasneem Siddiqui, founding chair of RMMRU, said all the impacts would not be negative, however, as some new job scopes will also be generated abroad.

The German government has engaged refugees and migrants as medical staffs to meet the present crises. More than 300 refugee medical staffs are working in this European country, she mentioned.

Besides, there is a scarcity of manpower and medical products in USA, Japan, Canada and other European countries. So, a large investment could take place in the coming days that would create scopes for migration, she said.

She suggested the government to adopt short and long-term plans to utilise the opportunity.

Ms Siddiqui also suggested taking necessary measures for the protection of migrants and their families at home.

She recommended for providing grants and loans without interests to the migrant families to meet their necessities and allocating necessary fund for the workers staying abroad and ensure their health protection.

The RMMRU chair requested all to keep the migrants in their positive attitude as they have a large contribution to the country's development. Returned workers should be provided with all essential supports to help them stay safe in the country.

RMMRU had proposed to observe a one minute silence at 9:00am today (Sunday) for all Bangladeshis who died of COVID-19 at home and abroad.

Other recommendations included creating returnee migrants database, gender responsive facilities, utilising the returnees' experience, making long-term plan, creating skilled workers, etc.

[email protected]

Share if you like

Filter By Topic