Cheated job seekers demand compensation

FE Report | Published: May 21, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Bangladeshi overseas job seekers to Iraq, cheated by dishonest manpower recruiters, have demanded compensation and cancellation of recruiting agencies' licences.
They made the demand Tuesday at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city. The press conference was organised by Anirban Survivor Voice, a voluntary group.
The returnee migrants sought consideration of their physical, mental, social and financial losses and demanded employment opportunities at home.
On behalf of the victim migrants, Mojammel Haque, Shafiqul Islam, Mohammad Masud, spoke at the press conference while 15 were present.
They said though the authorities concerned assured them of taking stern action against the dishonest manpower agents and their associates at the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), they are yet to get any relief.
Earlier, they met with the expatriates welfare and overseas employment minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain and appealed for justice and necessary compensation.
The minister also gave assurance of taking effective measures and arranging compensation from the recruiting agencies.
The ministry served show cause notice on February 17 last to the four recruiting agencies to explain within seven days as to why their licences should not be cancelled under migration act for harassing overseas job seekers physically, mentally and financially.
The ministry also sought explanation as to why their mortgage money should not be confiscated and other necessary actions be taken against them.
Already three months have passed since show-cause notice was served but there is no visible progress in this connection, they alleged.
Between February and March of 2013, some 27 Bangladeshis went to Iraq through four recruiting agencies.
Of them, 22 Bangladeshis came back home during November to mid February last after being tortured in many ways by the recruiting agents. And the migrants fled away at different times.
The manpower recruiting companies charged Tk 350,000 to Tk 400,000 each as migration cost for employment visas. But the frauds sent them with entry visa only.
The migrants said after reaching in Iraq the recruitment agencies locked them up at a camp in Najaf city. The recruiters did not engage them with any jobs during their 10 months of captivity.