Mohammad Babul returned home from Malaysia on Friday with his dream of pulling his family out of poverty shattered after he sustained 40% burns in an accident at his workplace two years ago.
He went there in 2006, at the age of 17, to work as a driver but joined a manufacturing company instead where he earned RM700 or just over Tk13,000 a month. He said his employer took away his documents five years after he had gone there. After switching several jobs in the next few years, he finally joined a construction company hoping to earn more.
But it cost him dearly. His luck took a grim turn when molten iron ore fell on him at work on January 4, 2014. The factory authorities refused to take responsibility.
Malaysia, a rich southeast Asian country, is a popular destination for migrant workers. An estimated 6 lakh Bangladeshis are in Malaysia and only half of them have valid documents. Expatriate Bangladeshis there remitted about $1.4 billion last year. But there is no official figure on how many returned home after being injured at their workplaces.
Malaysia-based NGO Tenaganita (Women’s Force), which works for migrant rights protection, came to Babul’s aid while CARAM Asia, working on migration and health issues, arranged for his travel to Bangladesh.
Tenaganita’s Senior Research Officer Ashikur Rahman said: “Lack of training, safety measures and safety equipment caused the accident. The construction site made him work 14-16 hours daily, violating the labour law. A case has been filed with a Malaysian labour court over the incident.”
Babul’s first Chinese employer Lee Young King spearheaded a campaign for his treatment. Thanks to his efforts, different NGOs, a catholic church, and an organisation of local Buddhists came forward. Tenaganita got involved later. They have been footing his medical bills.
Tenaganita referred him to the Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP), a Dhaka-based grassroots migration organisation. OKUP Executive Director Omar Faruque Chowdhury said they would take care of Babul but did not specify whether OKUP would bear the medical expenses. “I request the government to support him from the Wage Earners Welfare Board fund which is used for the welfare of migrant workers,” he said.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune yesterday, Babul said he hoped to continue his treatment in Bangladesh but was uncomfortable at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. “The condition was better in Malaysia.”
First Secretary (Labour) Musharrat Jebin wrote to the welfare board’s managing director to take care of Babul who said his family was incapable of bearing medical cost. “Before sending me home, Tenaganita told me that everything will be taken care of,” he said.
The Wage Earners Welfare Board gives a maximum grant of Tk1 lakh to migrant workers who return after sustaining injuries. Families of deceased workers also get the same amount. “But it is a lengthy process,” OKUP Program Manager Abdullah Al Mamun said, noting that it usually takes between five and six months to get the money. “We will apply on behalf of Babul. Let’s see when he gets it.”
The government tasked Expatriate Welfare Ministry’s Deputy Secretary Nurun Akhter with Babul’s case. “His family will have to foot the medical bill. If they are unable to bear the cost, then they have to apply to the ministry for money,” she said.
Elaborating the process, she said they would investigate whether Babul left the country legally and check with local level government office. The application will be placed at the board meeting after that. Babul will get the money once the board approves it.
CARAM Asia’s Regional Coordinator Mohammad Harun Al Rashid told the Dhaka Tribune that many like Babul go back home after getting injured. “How many will the NGOs take care of? Babul came here legally but became illegal after he left his job where he was underpaid.
“I suggest Bangladesh to take responsibility of its migrant workers irrespective of their legality. The process to check legality of workers going abroad started few years ago in Bangladesh. But what about those who went abroad before that?” he asked.