Law event
Bringing manpower sub-agents under law
Speakers at a consultation underscored the need for better appreciation of the role of informal facilitators in the labour recruitment process of Bangladesh. They called on the authorities to bring the informal facilitators under a legal cover. These observations were made at a consultation organised by Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU).
At the meeting subagents demanded social and legal recognition for their positive contribution to the national economy. They felt that they are often made scapegoats when migration process does not meet its desired goal. They claimed that recruiting agencies often demand high fees in excess of government stipulated amounts which make the cost of migration high.
Mr. Selim Reza, Director, Immigration of BMET observed that the issue of registration subagents merits serious consideration because of their inevitable role in the migration process.
Dr. Nurul Islam, another Director of BMET agreed with the idea but observed that with its current resource it may be difficult for BMET to regulate the activities of innumerable Sub-agents. He stated that efficiently monitoring 800 recruiting agents itself has become a daunting task for the agency.
The Chair of the Session Dr. C R Abrar stated that onus should rest on respective recruiting agencies to issue work permits and a photo identity cards to its subagents and be liable for all actions of the latter. He suggested that the recruiting agencies should send the list of its sub-agents to BMET which in turn will circulate the same to all upazillas for the aspirant migrants to see.
- Compiled by Law Desk.
