Bangladesh,UAE sign MOU to protect rights of B'deshi migrant workers

Dhaka, May 21 (UNI) Bangladesh and UAE here today signed a MOU providing for better working conditions and protecting rights and interest for Bangladesh migrant workers in the gulf state.

Foreign Advisor Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury and visiting UAE Labour Minister Ali Bin Abdullah Al Kaabi initialed the MOU after a talk at state guesthouse Padma.

''The MOU provides for a good working condition of Bangladeshi workers, protecting their rights and eliminating problems caused by by both recruiting and receiving agencies,'' the UAE Labour Minister told reporters.

He said a joint working committee will be set up with three representatives from each country to see that the workers have finger prints, required medical certificates and ensure that a worker does not pay excess fees for traveling to UAE and get their jobs.

In reply to a question, the Labour Minister said his government is open to have more workers from Bangladesh ''skilled or unskilled labourers.'' But, he said the recruitment would depend on the private sector that would determine what kind of workers they need.

Dr Kaabi said his government would only play a role of catalyst to facilitate the private sector to recruit manpower from Bangladesh.

Asked about legalising undocumented workers from Bangladesh, Dr Kaabi said not only the UAE government but all the GCC countries would impose ban on illegal workers.

Presently, Bangladesh has about 7,00,000 workers employed in the UAE and about 16,000 workers are staying in that country without valid documents.

Foreign Advisor Chowdhury said the MOU signed today would not only help increase the export of workfroce from Bangladesh, but he said the visit would open a new avenue for better economic cooperation between the two brotherly countries.

He said Bangladeshi workers are sincere and hardworking, and the doors of the UAE will always remain open to every category of workers ''skilled, semi-skilled and un-skilled.'' The Advisor said ''The MOU signed not only reflects the strong relations between us but it would also help strengthen and widen cooperation in other fields like investment and greater economic cooperation.'' He said the MOU will help Bangladeshi labourers, UAE employers and the governments of the two countries to set the things in the right direction.

An Official here said the format of the joint committee has not been finalised.

Presently, the UAE has more that 7,00,000 Bangladeshi workers remitting about US$ 600 million annually.

UNI