Drop in manpower export is alarming
A little over 300,000 Bangladeshi workers found overseas jobs in 2010, according to a reliable estimate. But in 2008, some 875,000 workers from Bangladesh went abroad with jobs. Thus, from these figures alone one may have an idea of the big plunge in manpower exports -- by over 60 per cent -- in only about two years and the adverse consequences of the same for the Bangladesh economy.
The above figures are certainly a wake up call for those who should be concerned in Bangladesh. Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina visited Saudi Arabia in 2009 and also other oil-rich kingdoms in the same region. It was publicised prominently after her Saudi visit that the same had unlocked the way to full-fledged resumption of the flow of Bangladeshi manpower to that country.
But that information, unfortunately, has proved to be untenable. The same apply in relation to other Arab countries that employ Bangladeshi workers. It was prominently made known after the PM's visit that Saudi Arabia would allow Bangladeshi workers to take up new jobs in that kingdom following termination of contracts in existing jobs. But that has not yet happened.
The Manpower Minister's statement that decreasing manpower demand in these countries is the reason for the drop in our manpower export is not tenable. Our neighbouring countries, India and Nepal, are rapidly and largely increasing their manpower export to Saudi Arabia and nearby countries.
Drop in manpower export is alarming