Expat Bangladeshi workers are facing a fate worse than death! Some of them are returning from the Middle East with empty hands after working there for years.
They spent thousands of dollars selling their land and other properties or taking loans at a high interest rate, to spin their wheel of fortunes. But in the end, they return home without a penny.
Going to the UAE’s Dubai after spending $8,000 in 2012, Sultan Ahmed of Sylhet came back home penniless from on Saturday.
“I could not bring a single farthing,” he said while speaking to Bangla Tribune.
Sultan kept his 12 months’ wages with his employer, who cheated him and sent him to jail when asked for the money.
“I spent 25 days in prison for no reason,” he said.
Even the Dubai police did not return his mobile phone and a ring when they released him, he added.
“They beat me when I asked for the phone and ring.”
What is shocking is that Sultan’s case is by no means unique. Others also have suffered in their pursuit of better economic prospects in the Gulf region.
For instance, Nur Islam of Jashore went to Saudi Arabia two years ago spending about $8,000.
His employers did not give him work permit in the first 18 months . After getting it a few months later, he was suddenly apprehended by the police and deported to Bangladesh.
“I have all the legal documents to stay in Saudi Arabia, but even then they deported me,” he said.
Like Islam, 61 more workers came back from Saudi Arabia with him Saturday.