Bangladesh voices concern over migrant exploitation

The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Maldives Dr Md Nazmul Islam has expressed concerns about the exploitation of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Maldives. 

Reports on the 'Bangladesh Monitor' regarding a statement issued yesterday by the Bangladeshi government reveals that the High Commissioner raised these concerns during a meeting with the Controller General of Maldives Immigration Ahmed Faseeh. 

The report said that the High Commissioner expressed deep concerns regarding mistreatment of migrant workers in the Maldives. 

During the meeting, the High Commissioner highlighted that Bangladeshi workers, even after complying with all formalities, are too often deprived of the jobs assured to them in the Maldives, forcing them into hardship and increasing their risk of exploitation. 

The Bangladesh Monitor reported that the meeting with Controller Faseeh centered on safeguarding migrant worker rights and ensuring they have the means to lead dignified lives. 

The High Commissioner urged the Controller to intensify regulation of worker recruitment, aiming to curb deceptive practices and illegal activities, and to protect workers from falling victim to exploitation by recruitment agents and employers. 

He emphasized the need for stricter monitoring to ensure workers receive their promised wages, and have guaranteed access to medical care. 

The High Commissioner further noted that Bangladeshi workers in Maldives do not have access to secure banking services. He stressed that the dollar shortage in Maldives has led to workers facing several financial challenges. 

Maldives Immigration, meanwhile, has ramped up efforts to combat illegal businesses in the country run by expatriate workers and to resolve the issue of illegal expatriates. 

The Maldives currently has over 100,000 expatriates working in the country, the majority of whom are Bangladeshis.