After being terminated from jobs in Hong Kong around 48 female migrant workers are now in deep trouble paying their bank loan.
The ill-fated migrants took loan of Tk1, 40,000each from Probashi Kallyan Bank (Expatriates’ Welfare Bank).
Out of 48 around, 15 female migrants yesterday met Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain at his office at Probashi Kallyan Bhaban and requested him to waive their bank loans and compensate them.
“After waiting for about three to four hours we met the minister who told us that he could do nothing,” Beauty, hailed from Manikganj, one of the female migrants, told the Dhaka Tribune over phone yesterday.
Angered at the request the minister said he would ask the authorities to serve notice to the workers to pay back loan, Beauty said in a voice of frustration.
While talking to this correspondent at the Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry, the migrant workers said they had submitted their allegations to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) on October 2013 but yet to get any response.
On February 25, 2014, they also submitted a memorandum to the ministry.
“I have submitted my complaint to the BMET which has not done anything to solve my problem,” Sumi Akter told this correspondent at the ministry.
“I have received a notice from Probashi Kallyan Bank to pay my instalment but I have no way to pay back the loan,” Faria Akter said.
“We have asked the BMET to inform us about the problems of the female migrant workers and as per the request of the BMET steps would be taken,” Expatriates’ Welfare Secretary Khandaker Shawkat Hossain said.
On February 25 this year a number of female migrants at a press conference alleged that they were promised a good working environment, suitable food and accommodation, and eight working hours daily but the promises were not fulfilled.
Two months after arriving in HK many of them were dismissed and sent back home.