Reducing recruitment cost for migrant workers

Bangladesh relies heavily on the money sent by millions of its overseas workers. But many of them are forced to borrow from their families or sell assets to pay the costs of getting work in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates or elsewhere. Bangladeshi migrant workers spend an average of 2,300 US dollars to get any employment abroad, an amount equivalent to more than 18 months' work in their new job, the World Bank said recently in a report.
The cost of getting a job in a foreign company and travel expenses at the moment is already too high. Other issues like rising plane fare are adding to the financial burden of the aspiring migrants. Although the relevant ministry often instructs the job-seekers not to pay anything beyond the official amount, in reality migrants have to pay three to four times more than the amount fixed by the government. They have to pay exorbitantly during the recruitment process that include filling, registering and training. Many people fall prey to fraudsters and lose everything. At some point, in despair, they give up hope of travelling abroad or recovering their money.
In my view, we have no other alternatives than controlling and monitoring the agencies related to manpower export. Otherwise, the migrants will continue to suffer. And it is vital that the cost of migration is brought down significantly. And to that end the authorities concerned should consider the issue with due seriousness.
Jesmin Akter,
Student of Department of Management,
Joynal Hazari College, Feni,
jessijesmin3@gmail.com