Baira leaders call for dismantling syndicates within manpower dispatching sector

The leaders of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira) have urged the authorities concerned to dismantle the syndicates within the country's manpower dispatching sector, and take action against them.

Addressing at a press conference organised by a section of the association at the Sagar-Runi Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) on Saturday, they said in a bid to speed up the country's foreign exchange earning sector, the syndicates within the Baira should be dismantled. 

At the same time, they demanded that those involved in corruption and irregularities in the sector should be brought under appropriate punishment.

"Bangladesh's labour market is on the verge of destruction due to syndicates. Worker migration to Malaysia has been halted owing to the syndicates and their corrupt practices," said Riaz-Ul-Islam, acting president of Baira.

He further said the foreign employment sector stands as Bangladesh's most significant contributor to foreign exchange earnings, which annually contributes $22 billion to the country's foreign exchange reserves.

However, the sector is highly tainted by the syndicates that arose under the rule of past dictators in the country, and these groups have consistently hindered the access of Bangladeshi workers to the Malaysian labour market, he alleged.

These syndicates hindered workers from travelling to Malaysia, even though there was a demand for 50,000 workers, he added.

Those who have taken money from the aspiring migrant workers will have to return the money. 

He also urged the interim government to take action against the syndicate.

Senior Joint Secretary of Baira Mohammad Fakhrul Islam, among other leaders of the association, were also present.