Recruiting agencies need to cut migration cost

Ghashful, a non-government voluntary organisation, held a webinar titled "Immigration and Expatriates' Income: Post-Corona Scenario" at its head office in the city on Saturday, marking the International Migrants Day, says a statement.

Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, MP, president of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment was present as the chief guest.

He said, "Remittance from expatriates has given our economy a boost helping to overcome the post-Covid recession."

" They earned money with difficulty. If there is no other provision to send their hard-earned money to the country in an easy and legal way at low cost, they will surely opt for some unlawful means such as Hundi," he added.

The recruiting agents need to break syndicates and focus on reducing cost of migration, he said, adding those who are smuggling money away from the country should be resisted under the existing laws.

NGOs are doing commendable work for the expatriates to establish their rights, and make migration safe and easy, he observed.

The government should give opportunities to the NGOs to work more extensively, he opined.

Ghashful Chairman prominent sociologist and Chittagong University Senate member Dr Manzur-ul-Amin Chowdhury presided the webinar while CEO of Ghashful Aftabur Rahman Jafree was present.

Muhammad Ala Uddin discussed in detail the ins and outs of immigration and expatriate income.

Former principal secretary and executive director of UCEP Bangladesh Dr Md Abdul Karim said many smuggle money from the country through over-invoicing or under-invoicing, which must be prevented.

Dhaka University teacher and distinguished economist Professor Dr MM Akash said an expatriate should gain experience by working abroad and gain the ability to play significant role in the country after coming back.

Managing Director of Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) Mallik Anwar Hossain, also additional secretary, said coordination and cooperation between government and private agencies related to immigration should be increased.

Marina Sultana, programme director of the Refugee and Migratory Movement Research Unit (RAMRU), said, "We do not have the clear data of how many people are returning from abroad."