Labour and expatriates’ welfare minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain on Tuesday said that ongoing political turmoil like hartals and blockades sponsored by BNP-led opposition alliance has not affected the manpower export and caused no problem in this sector.
He said the overseas job-seekers were visiting the manpower bureau office in the city and they were also reaching the airports timely and flying for their destinations during the hartals and blockades.
The minister made the remarks replying to a question at a press briefing held at Probashi Kalyan Bhaban ahead of the International Migrants’ Day to be observed on Wednesday.
Mosharraf, however, said that the country’s manpower exports has dropped significantly this year compared with the number of outbound workers last year citing the global financial recession as the main cause.
‘Manpower is not a commodity like onion or garlic that is consumed by people. They are connected with development process. If there are huge development works, the countries recruit more workers,’ he said.
About four lakh workers would go abroad this year while six lakh workers went in 2012, he noted.
The minister urged all concerned to spontaneously take part in the programme to make the international migrants day a success.
Describing the international migrants day as very significant event for the country, the minister claimed that a total of 85-90 lakh Bangladeshi workers were working in 157 countries.
Marking the occasion, the government has taken up various programmes including rally, seminar, and reception of the migrant workers on Wednesday.
Besides, special programmes would be aired over television channels and radios to observe the day, said officials.
-With New Age input
