The issue of female migrant workers has left the government in a tight spot, says Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.
“Around 200,000 among 600,000 female migrants are working in Saudi Arabia. As many as 8,000, mostly working in Saudi Arabia, have returned home, including 53 dead,” he told a media call on Thursday (Nov 14)
Monem said, female migrants report of harassment after returning, however, the government has arranged for shelter homes as well as hotlines aboard to minimize such incidents.
“They hesitate to report at these facilities,” he added.
Identifying Illicit practices by recruiters as a major concern, Momen said that government is yet to consider a ban on sending female workers abroad.
The Bangladeshi laws are well-equipped to address the issues, he said before adding, "But the recruiters disregard it."
The minister said he have asked expatriates’ welfare minister to make registration mandatory for female migrant workers.