Working as domestic aides is risky for female migrants workers, yet 98 percent of Bangladeshi women are going abroad as housemaids, a recent study says.
Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) statistics show as of April 2013, a total of 2,36,194 women have gone abroad for jobs, since migration of female workers started in 1991.
According to the study conducted by Bangladesh Ovibashi Mohila Association (BOMSA), 98 percent of the female workers are migrating as domestic aides to the Arab states and the Gulf region. The study was based on interviews and survey of women who seek low-skilled jobs, and have little or no education.
The findings of the study were revealed at a seminar, jointly organised by BMET and UN Women at a city hotel Wednesday.
The study reveals that in most Arab countries labour laws generally do not cover women domestic workers because they are not considered as “employees”, and households where they work are not considered as “workplaces”.
Their mobility and freedom are restricted, while their welfare situation is monitored minimally by labour attaches at Bangladesh missions abroad.
BMET Director General Shamsun Nahar, who chaired the seminar, said most of the female migrants are going abroad as housemaids, although the job is risky.
“We should not depend only on housemaids,” the DG said, adding that the study’s recommendations would be followed in the future.
She said female migrant workers are not getting consular services due to staff shortages and mindset of the officials.
There are lots of opportunities for Bangladeshi female workers abroad, and the wages of a skilled worker is three to four times more than that of an unskilled one, the study says. But the government merely concentrates on sending women abroad as domestic workers, it adds.
There are job opportunities for women as caregivers, nurses, beauticians, restaurant workers, cashiers, bookkeepers, receptionists, office-assistants and data entry technicians.
Japan, Singapore, Iraq, Hong Kong, Korea, Poland, Sweden, South Africa and the Congo have huge demands for female migrants in various trades, the study finds.
Currently female workers are going to Lebanon, Jordan, Libya, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Mauritius.
The study also reveals that BMET’s market research unit is not functioning properly. It recommends strengthening of the research unit, better inter-ministerial collaboration and a bigger role of Bangladesh embassies.
“We could not send nurses (abroad) as the health ministry deals with them and there is no coordination between the ministries,” admitted an official of the expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment ministry at yesterday’s seminar.
Expatriates’ welfare ministry secretary Zafar Ahmed Khan was present as chief guest, while UN Women national programme manager Naheed M Ahmed, among others, joined the discussion.