The Bangladesh Expatriates and Migrants Council has asked the government to give better protection and rights to migrants who return home after facing abuse and exploitation in other countries. At a rally held on 15 May at the National Press Club, the group presented a 19-point list of demands to support returnees and their families.
Delwar Hossain Syed, the president of the council, asked the government to look at the demands seriously and take action to protect the migrant community. He said that migrant workers make huge contributions to the country and deserve strong support in return.
One of the council’s key demands is that all migrant workers be included in a national pension scheme. They also want the government to provide one-time compensation to the families of workers who die abroad while working.
The group also asked for the bodies of deceased migrant workers to be returned to Bangladesh at the government’s expense. They want mandatory life insurance and pension benefits for all migrants, so that workers can be secure when they grow old.
They called for better legal protection for returnees, especially for those facing false charges or legal problems that stop them from returning home. They also want to stop the harassment of returnees when they renew their passports.
Another important demand is stronger help from Bangladeshi embassies abroad. The council said that embassies should offer quick legal support to migrants who face trouble in the countries where they work.
The group also asked the government to give low-interest loans to returnees so they can start small businesses and live independently. They want the government to punish recruiting agencies that cheat workers and cause them to lose jobs overseas.
The council also wants migrants to be able to vote, even if they are not in the country, by using online systems. Finally, they asked for an end to the mistreatment of returnees at airports, especially when they are unfairly suspected of smuggling.