It is heartening to learn that expatriates can now call the Bangladeshi government helpline 333 from abroad using the popular instant messaging app “Imo” in order to receive support -- a welcome move that should be the first of many others to better support our expat workers abroad.
The national helpline 333 has been one of the most important tools for availing necessary government services and information, with its worth particularly prominent during the Covid years. With Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently inaugurating “Smart 333” for offering AI-assisted services through the helpline, public service delivery and citizens availing essential government services should only get easier.
For our expat workers, while this is good, we have to do much more in order for them to feel more at ease in their host nations. Remittances continue to be of vital importance to our economy, especially with the depreciation of the local currency and our fast dwindling foreign reserve.
Yet, more often than not, our expat workers have to experience less-than-ideal scenarios in the nations they work at, ranging from unsavory behaviour to oppressive workplaces.
This is something the relevant authorities must take seriously, and work with the right stakeholders to address. With all of the hard work our expat workers do, the least they are entitled to is to be treated with the respect that they not only deserve, but have wholly earned.
To that end, more ways of supporting them will ensure that they continue to be an integral component of our economy, and help us reach our economic goals.
The national helpline 333 has been one of the most important tools for availing necessary government services and information, with its worth particularly prominent during the Covid years. With Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently inaugurating “Smart 333” for offering AI-assisted services through the helpline, public service delivery and citizens availing essential government services should only get easier.
For our expat workers, while this is good, we have to do much more in order for them to feel more at ease in their host nations. Remittances continue to be of vital importance to our economy, especially with the depreciation of the local currency and our fast dwindling foreign reserve.
Yet, more often than not, our expat workers have to experience less-than-ideal scenarios in the nations they work at, ranging from unsavory behaviour to oppressive workplaces.
This is something the relevant authorities must take seriously, and work with the right stakeholders to address. With all of the hard work our expat workers do, the least they are entitled to is to be treated with the respect that they not only deserve, but have wholly earned.
To that end, more ways of supporting them will ensure that they continue to be an integral component of our economy, and help us reach our economic goals.
