Special flights to fly migrant workers abroad a timely step
AMID the halt of international flights due to the resurgence of Covid-19, the government is set to operate flights with Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore from today to send migrant workers with valid work visas abroad on special flights. Apart from the five countries, arrangements would also be made to send migrant workers to countries where they are allowed to go. Operation of around 500 international flights had been suspended for the lockdown. Following the CAAB announcement, Biman Bangladesh Airlines issued a statement on Thursday saying they would operate special flights for carrying migrants to several destinations.
The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to the country’s overseas job market and the remittance in flow as a large number of Bangladeshi migrants have already lost their jobs or are receiving low wages amid shutdowns enforced to stem the spread of the virus. After different businesses were closed due to the shutdown, the documented workers are being provided with basic wages, but the undocumented ones are getting nothing at all. Working hours of many, including those in cleaning jobs and at grocery stores, have also been slashed.
On the other hand, thousands of Bangladeshi migrants who came home on leave and those who were waiting to fly after securing work visas are not able to join work abroad because of travel bans due to the coronavirus outbreak. Besides, a large number of Bangladeshis are not able to join work abroad. Remittance from expatriates is one of the main pillars of the Bangladesh economy. About one crore Bangladeshi migrants sent home $18.35 billion in remittance last year alone.
The Civil Aviation Authority has taken the right decision regarding the operation of special flights to carry our migrant workers. The authorities should do everything possible to fly the stranded workers to their destinations. They need our help to retain their employment abroad. Their earnings drive our economy.
The coronavirus pandemic has dealt a heavy blow to the country’s overseas job market and the remittance in flow as a large number of Bangladeshi migrants have already lost their jobs or are receiving low wages amid shutdowns enforced to stem the spread of the virus. After different businesses were closed due to the shutdown, the documented workers are being provided with basic wages, but the undocumented ones are getting nothing at all. Working hours of many, including those in cleaning jobs and at grocery stores, have also been slashed.
On the other hand, thousands of Bangladeshi migrants who came home on leave and those who were waiting to fly after securing work visas are not able to join work abroad because of travel bans due to the coronavirus outbreak. Besides, a large number of Bangladeshis are not able to join work abroad. Remittance from expatriates is one of the main pillars of the Bangladesh economy. About one crore Bangladeshi migrants sent home $18.35 billion in remittance last year alone.
The Civil Aviation Authority has taken the right decision regarding the operation of special flights to carry our migrant workers. The authorities should do everything possible to fly the stranded workers to their destinations. They need our help to retain their employment abroad. Their earnings drive our economy.
