MIGRANT WORKERS: 42,000 unnatural deaths in 20 years

Experts on Wednesday highlighted the need for conducting a proper investigation, including autopsy, to identify reasons behind deaths of migrant workers in destination countries, including those in the Gulf States.

They called upon labour receiving countries to appoint teams of inspectors and medical examiners in facilities that deal with migrant workers.
The observations were made at the launching of a multi-country report on ‘the death of migrant workers in the Gulf’ organised in Dhaka by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit.

Professor CR Abrar of RMMRU noted that the demands for better protection of workers could not be met due to competition among the countries of origin on grabbing the job market, perceived benefits of outward migration and the use of economic and political leverage by the Gulf States.

Remaining active against all sorts of syndication on sending workers to Malaysia ‘is a need of the day,’ he added.

BRAC head of migration Shariful Hasan said about 94 per cent of at least 42,000 people, whose bodies were brought home from destination countries, were reportedly victims of unnatural death.

Some Bangladesh missions abroad mentioned ‘natural death’ in the documents created for transferring bodies that were carrying injury marks, he said, adding that the average age of the deceased workers were 33 years.

The figures of unnatural death would be much higher as about 60 workers were buried per month in KSA only, he said.

Bodies of about 500 female workers were brought home and about 230 of them were victims of suicide, he added. 

Arif Ahmed Khan, a director of the wage earners welfare board, said over 68 per cent of 20,416 death recorded in the past five years since January 1, 2017, were victims of ‘unnatural death,’ while about 11 per cent people died due to road accidents, three per cent workplace accidents, 2.6 per cent brain stroke and about two per cent committed suicide.

Jyortirmoy Barua of Nagorik, a human rights organisation, reminded that conducting an autopsy of all unnatural deaths of its national ‘is a legal obligation’ of the Bangladesh state.

Former foreign secretary Touhid Hossain regretted that sending countries were unable to put sufficient pressure on countries of destination to ensure the protection of migrant workers.

Shahidul Haque, another former foreign secretary, emphasised building a comprehensive campaign for addressing what he described as a pervasive crisis.

Tanvir Shakil Joy, a parliament member belonging to the ruling Awami League, highlighted the need for mobilising the collective strength of sending countries through various regional and international forums.

Bangladesh Parliamentary Caucus of Migration secretary general Mehjabin Khaled underscored the need for a public discussion on protection issues in the parliament.

Saiful Haque of WARBE, Fayezul Hakim Lala of People’s Platform on Public Health, Shameem Ahmed Chowdhury of BAIRA and Sheikh Romana of BOMSA also participated in the discussion.

They demanded to resolve problems of exorbitant migration cost, abusive working conditions and absence of health treatment facilities for workers in most of the destination countries.

News Courtesy:

https://www.newagebd.net/article/166232/42000-unnatural-deaths-in-20-years