Returnee migrants seek compensation

Returnee migrant workers and rights groups on Thursday demanded necessary compensation and exemplary punishment to dishonest manpower recruiters.
In most cases, the migrant workers who had been victimised didn't get any legal support and the 'criminals' were threatening them to withdraw cases, they said while speaking at a programme in the city.
Shikkha Shastha Unnayan Karzakram (Shishuk) and Rights Jessore jointly organised the programme marking "The United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture."
Shathi, who came back home from Oman just 18 days ago, said she was sold to an Omani citizen by her recruiting agency's local agent. And she was gang-raped there.
Bangladesh Export Corporation sent her to Oman with a job of housemaid just two months back, she said.  
Minara Begum, another victim who has returned home from Jordan recently, said she was tortured in many ways.
She was forced to overwork without wages. "I came back home empty-handed," said Minara who went to Jordan through Khan Tours and Travels.
Like them, some victims along with their families shared their bitter experience at the programme.  
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Mizanur Rahman who attended the programme as the chief guest said a section of registered recruiting agencies are involved with 'modern slave trade'.
They are cheating jobseekers in the name of manpower export. "There is no way to keep away them from justice," he said.
The NHRC chief assured the victims that he would place the issue and their demand at the all-party parliamentary committee meeting to be held shortly.
He will go to the chief justice with the cases filed against recruiting agencies, he said. "If necessary, I will pursue him to ensure fair justice for the victims," he added.
The NHRC boss also said it is the government's responsibility to pay all necessary compensations to the victims.
CR Abrar, executive director of Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU), urged the victims to continue with their cases. And the rights organisations will give necessary support to ensure fair justice, he added.
Shishuk executive director Sakiul Millat Morshed and Rights Jessore executive director Binoy Krishna Mallick also spoke on the occasion.
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