Migrants becoming loan-burdened

Many expatriate workers who returned home before and immediately after the outbreak of the Covid-19 have lost their savings and are struggling to cope with the situation. These people have no option but to go back to workplaces. That's why, we've seen desperation among many workers to secure visa or air tickets to join the workplaces in Saudi Arabia. The same is the case for migrants who served in other countries but are not staying in Bangladesh.

The loan burden of the migrant workers is not only affecting themselves but also their family members. Their cordial support to their families is reflected in the rise in inflow of remittances before the Eid festivals. The government has announced some facilities but those appear to be not enough. Also, the detention of some migrant returnees who were cheated or incarcerated abroad, has given a wrong signal to them. Therefore, the authorities should take some confidence-building measures for the migrant workers.

Asfia Jahan

New Eskaton, Dhaka

[email protected]