Many opt to go abroad in the pursuit of better prospects, believing it to be a solution to their challenges and a path to prosperity. This aspiration has led to both legal and illegal means of overseas travel.
Although there is no problem in going abroad legally, there are various risks associated with travelling to foreign countries illegally or through brokers. Despite being aware of these dangers, numerous individuals still step on to that path. Some may succeed. However, most of them face terrible consequences, while others end up finding themselves stranded in refugee camps.
Riad, hailing from Noakhali, is one such example. He had tried but failed to travel to Malaysia legally. He then decided to go to Malaysia through a broker after failing the medical examination. He also gave Tk30,000 to a friend to that end. But his friend kept him waiting. In the end, Riad did not even get his money back.
While grappling with despair, Riad was determined to make his way to Malaysia. This time he sought help from a person in Noakhali. This person, part of a broker group, said it would take Tk3.7 lakh to go to Malaysia and that Tk30,000 needed to be paid in advance.
According to Riad, the broker party said Riad would be completely successful in reaching abroad. “If you cannot reach your destination for any reason, you do not have to pay a single taka,” one of them said.
“I agreed to their proposal as it was urgent for me to go abroad. After one month my visa was issued. I managed to get the remaining amount and give it to them. Then the group gave me a guideline on how to make the journey,” Riad said.
Riad and some others embarked on their journey. Riad said: "We were told that all communication with us would be over the phone; from the airport here to the one in Malaysia, there would be no face-to-face meeting with anyone; and our phones should be charged up at all times."
Riad recounted that they subsequently received a phone call instructing them to collect their boarding passes at the airport and remain in place until further notice.
“We were directed to proceed to immigration as indicated over the phone; we were given step-by-step instructions. We followed them diligently, going wherever we were told to. A specific code was provided to us. Upon mentioning this code, all airport formalities were swiftly concluded. I managed to navigate the airport in Bangladesh seamlessly.”
Riad traversed the airport through a token system, boarded a flight to Malaysia and followed the directions provided by the brokers upon arrival. He spent approximately 5-6 hours in a designated room. Then he received another phone call.
Reflecting on the situation at the time, Riad said: “Fear gripped us as we navigated the unknown. I was uncertain about my actions and decisions. The unfamiliar environment and the prospect of interacting with strangers were daunting. My anxiety was so profound that I avoided using my mobile to conserve its battery.”
After 5-6 hours had passed, Riad's phone rang once again, and he received further instructions. In Riad's words: “We were told to board a train and proceed to the immigration area. We followed an underground path to immigration and were directed to a specific counter. There, we were provided with a paper token. Upon presenting this token at another counter, we were expedited through an express lane, facilitating our swift exit from the airport. I emerged from this process unharmed."
Outside the airport, a group of Malaysians awaited Riad's arrival, having been informed in advance. Riad described the ensuing interaction: "Upon approaching the Malaysians at the gate, they assessed our appearance and mobile phones. Upon confirmation, we were instructed to remain in place. Subsequently, a car arrived, and we were guided to board it. Inside the car, we encountered a fellow Bengali who escorted us to an assigned room to get the rest of the money.”
While Riad's journey concluded successfully, it is important to acknowledge that illegal journeys abroad, fraught with life-threatening risks, often lead to heartache for numerous families.
Strict monitoring needed
Shahidul Alam, director general of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training (BMET), said: "If an agency can legally send workers with job benefits, it will be positive. But we have noticed that many people are falling into the clutches of brokers in their dreams of coming by a better life.”
He advised migrant workers to be cautious and to take help from government-mandated agencies so that they can easily avoid unwanted situations.
Shariful Hasan, head of BRAC’s Migration Program, said that migration agencies should be brought under monitoring in order to stop a recurrence of such incidents.