Speakers at a consultation yesterday said migrant workers are being deprived of their rights due to the ‘kafala’ system (sponsorship system) practised in the Middle East countries.
Terming it a sort of modern slavery, they also demanded the abolition of such system. They said around 8,000,000 Bangladeshis are now working in different countries.
Under the system, a migrant worker cannot change assigned jobs without his or her employer’s permission. Without an employer’s co-operation, a migrant cannot have their residence permits issued or renewed. A sponsor has complete control over the mobility of workers.
National Alliance for Migrants Rights, Bangladesh organised the consultation titled “kafala violating migrant rights: Can FIFA help to abolish?” at BRAC Centre. Sheepa Hafiz, Director, Gender, Justice and Diversity and Migration of BRAC, presented the keynote paper and moderated the consultation.
Like many Middle East countries, the kafala system exists in Qatar. If Qatar hosts the FIFA World Cup 2022, it would need around 500,000 workers for infrastructure development there.
NAMR,B called upon the FIFA to take measures so that the rights of migrants are not violated in Qatar.
Kazi Kalam, deputy secretary of the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, said under the kafala system, a migrant worker has to face difficulties. Under an employer, migrant workers become bonded slaves.
“The sending countries, including Bangladesh, have to unite in demanding abolition of the kafala system,” he added.
Ali Haider Chowdhury, senior vice-president of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, said big companies of the UK and the USA are handling mega projects in Qatar.
On the one hand, these companies are talking about the human rights violations, on the other hand they are violating human rights, he pointed out.
Hassan Imam, coordinator of migration programme said, “We have to raise our voice against the kafala system.”
Speaking on the occasion, Fatema, a returnee, alleged that she was not paid salary in Lebanon. “When I asked for salary, I was beaten up severely,” she claimed.
Abu Taher of CARE Bangladesh said there is no alternative to migration. “If we want to turn Bangladesh into a middle income country, we have to send our workers abroad for jobs,” he said.
“The government, BAIRA and civil society organisations have to work unitedly to protect the rights of migrant workers,” he noted.
