Protect overseas jobseekers from frauds, middlemen

GBNEWS24DESK//

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday stressed the need for ensuring that overseas jobseekers do not fall prey to frauds and middlemen.

“We always have to consider that these people could go abroad through proper channels and get appropriate jobs. It is very important for us to ensure that these people must not fall prey to fraudulent people and middlemen,” she said.

The PM made the remarks while delivering her introductory speech at the second meeting of the Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Affairs National Steering Committee at the Gono Bhaban.

She asked the authorities concerned to find new destinations for manpower alongside making them skilled through proper training. “Our people are in different countries, but we have to explore more destinations.”

Hasina said the government has started sending workers to some new places. “But we have to send skilled people. We have taken initiatives to provide them training.”

She asked the authorities concerned to work out which countries need what kinds of skilled manpower. “We will train them accordingly.”

The PM mentioned that sometimes it is seen that people are selling their houses and land to pay the middlemen and fraudsters for jobs abroad.

She also put emphasis on creating public awareness against going abroad for jobs through middlemen.

During the heavy pressure on the economy due to the Covid pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war, incomes of the expatriates contributed a lot to the country’s reserves and overall development, said the premier.

Hasina said the Awami League government has established Probashi Kallyan Bank to provide loans to the overseas jobseekers.

She also praised the freelancers of the country for earning foreign currencies. “We have given them certificates after bringing them under registration process.”

The PM also requested the expatriates to send their money through legal channels. “We have given special stimulus of 2.5 percent for sending money through legal channels.”

Hasina asked the authorities concerned to take necessary measures so that dreams of the expatriate Bangladeshis do not turn into nightmare after their hard-earned money, sent through illegal channels, is misappropriated.

She also directed the authorities of the Probashi Kallyan Bank to introduce agent banking in working places of the expatriate Bangladeshis so that they can legally send money conveniently.

“Necessary steps have been taken to ease the process of sending money from abroad through legal and banking channels.”

She said at present there are sufficient employment opportunities in the country and people are earning more.

She mentioned that a day labourer who used to earn Tk 200-300 per day in the past now can earn Tk 600-1,000 per day depending on the nature of work. The minimum earning is Tk 500-600.

Earning in the rural areas is higher than this, the PM said, adding that during the paddy harvesting season, the amount is Tk 700-800 with three meals a day.