Activists seek PM's intervention to stop visa trading

The country's inflow of remittances has declined over the months, especially from Saudi Arabia, due to visa trading that resulted in high migration cost, migrant rights campaigners said at a programme on Thursday.
They also sought immediate intervention of the Prime Minister to stop visa trading to protect the interests of outbound Bangladeshi workers.
They came up with their appeal at a national conference, organised by Bangladesh Ovibashi Adhikar Forum (BOAF) at the National Press Club in the city.
Representatives from parliamentarians caucus, civil society organisations and recruiting agencies at the conference stressed the need for creating massive awareness at grassroots level to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration from Bangladesh.
BOAF chief adviser Syed Saiful Haque said because of visa trading, workers could not send home more remittances last year. So, the country's remittances registered a negative growth.
The intervention of the prime minister is urgently needed to stop visa trading, he said.
Mr Haque also said even though migrant workers are sending their hard-earned money to develop the country, they are not getting due facilities and incentives at home.
Speaking as the chief guest, member of Parliamentarians Caucus on Migration and Development Jebunnesa Afroz, MP, said as the country's economy has been vibrant with remittances sent by the migrant workers from abroad, their safety and security will have to be ensured.
She said the Prime Minister's Office, expatriates welfare and overseas employment, foreign affairs and youth ministries would have to work together to ensure safe migration.
The lawmaker also urged the government and non-governmental organisations to work together to create awareness at the grassroots level about safe migration.
Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies joint secretary general Shameem Ahmed Chowdhury Noman said due to lack of physical fitness, training and communication skills, Bangladeshi workers were paid low wages in destination countries.
International Labour Organisation's national programme officer Rahnuma Salam Khan said campaigns should be launched in remote areas, villages and towns to ensure safe migration.
She suggested that each migrant worker should have skills on specific trade and communication skills and abide by the rules of the recipient countries.
Migration expert Asif Munir and BOAF chairman Nazmul Ahsan and BOAF secretary general Faruque Ahmed, among others, also spoke at the conference.

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