Bangladesh sent 250,000 workers abroad in past five months

Authorities in Bangladesh say that there has been a huge increase in the export of countrys manpower to foreign shores, as the number of workers going abroad has doubled to 250,000 in five months time, giving a substantial rise to remittance inflow.

By Nazrul Islam

Dhaka, May 31 : Authorities in Bangladesh say that there has been a huge increase in the export of country's manpower to foreign shores, as the number of workers going abroad has doubled to 250,000 in five months time, giving a substantial rise to remittance inflow.

"The country made a record in manpower export in the last five months," said country's foreign affairs adviser, Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment.

He said that more than 250,000 workers of different categories had left the country with overseas jobs during this period and they sent remittances amounting to Taka 14,145 crore.

"With this, the amount of remittances inflow may surpass 6 billion dollars in the current fiscal year to be ended in June 30," he added.

Responding to queries about sending more female workers abroad, the advisers said the interim government was trying to formulate a comprehensive policy for female workers who intend to be employed abroad.

He informed that some 68,147 Bangladeshi female workers have been employed abroad, of whom 6,033 went abroad in the four months of state of emergency.

The adviser informed that for more manpower export to South Korea Bangladesh would sign a memorandum of understanding during his visit to Seoul early June.

He said that under the deal, styled 'Employment Permit System', the Korean government would recruit 50,000 workers from 14 countries, and under a special package they would recruit some 10,000 workers from four countries including Bangladesh.

"One prime target of the present government is to open new windows in the economic front," he said.

On manpower export to Malaysia, one of the biggest destinations for Bangladeshi workers, the adviser said that the Malaysian government has so far approved recruitment of 269,978 Bangladeshi workers.

He said the present government was trying to ensure workers right in the country of destination.

"It is not our sole objective to send workers abroad and receive money. Our prime aim is to ensure the highest welfare of our workers employed abroad and increase their welfare if necessary," said the adviser.

ANI