The labour migration outflow slowed nearly 46 percent in the first six months of this year, dimming hopes for the growth of remittance.
In June, manpower exports went down 60 percent, compared to the same period of last year, according to a provisional report of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET).
The slowdown synchronises with slowing exports, which together with remittance makes over $24 billion or more than 29 percent of the country's $81 billion GDP.
Exports declined 2.30 percent in April of the current fiscal year, compared to the same period a year ago.
In the January-June period, around 250,900 people went overseas for job purposes while the number was 464,000 in the same period of last year.
In June, 59,434 workers went abroad against 98,002 in June last year.
"Labour outflow is falling as Saudi Arabia, Dubai and Malaysia, three main job destinations for Bangladesh, are not hiring workers from the country now," said Muhammad Mosharraf Hossain, an executive committee member of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA).
Asked about robust growth in inward remittance despite a declining trend in overseas jobs, Hossain said it would take six months to one year to feel the impact of the current manpower recruiting trend.
"Remittance inflow is still showing an upward trend but the situation may change at the end of the year due to the present overseas employment situation," said the former president of BAIRA.
The sector people blame inefficiencies of related government agencies and global financial crisis for a fall in overseas employment.
They also blamed an "irresponsible comment of a Bangladesh government official in Malaysia, which was reported in a Malaysian newspaper. The comment had reportedly led to a ban on manpower recruitment by the Southeast Asian country.
"Saudi Arabia was the top destination for Bangladeshi overseas workers, where recruitment of Bangladeshi workers is now virtually stopped. The government should find a way out of the debacle," said BAIRA President Golam Mostafa.
The BAIRA chief alleged foul play by some quarters of recruiters, which contributed to a sharp fall in manpower outflow to Saudi Arabia. He also blamed the mess partly on inadequate regulatory measures.
"The number people in the relevant agency, who look after the overseas manpower recruitment issue, is very insignificant," said Mostafa.
He, however, expressed optimism about the future prospect of the sector.
"Migrant outflow may show an upward trend in the second half of next year with the recovery of global economy from recession," he said.
Source: thedailystar.net
