The government is looking for an entry into the labour market in Cambodia amid the expansion of construction industry due to Chinese investment in the Southeast Asian country, an official with direct knowledge of the matter told Bangla Tribune.
A government delegation had visited Cambodia last week to see the demand for Bangladeshi construction workers.
"We have discussed with the stakeholders from the Cambodian government and the Chinese companies to send [Bangladeshi] workers," said the official, who joined the delegation.
According to this official, the country's government has no objection in sending workers from Bangladesh. "The Chinese companies, too, are interested [to recruit Bangladeshis]."
RECRUITMENT COSTS AND WORKERS' WAGE
The official, who wished to go unnamed, said the recruitment costs, as well as the workers' salary, will be fixed on the basis of the "market system."
"The government will play a side role [in recruiting the workers]," he added.
According to this official, a worker will be required to spend approximately $1200 (nearly Tk 100,000) including visa fees to get a job in Cambodia.
While the accommodation cost per workers will be around $100 a month.
After a year stay, a worker will be required to spend an additional $287 and $160 to renew visa and work permit respectively.
Despite all costs, a worker may earn from $400 to $450 (approximately Tk 34,000 to Tk 38,000) a month, the official said.
BE AWARE BEFORE TAKING A JOB
The official, however, warned the workers before taking a job because of relatively low wages.
As per the official's estimate, workers will need to spend roughly Tk 200,000 for recruitment and accommodation in the first year excluding other costs. From the next year, visa and work permit fees will be added with the accommodation cost.
As a result, workers will not enjoy relatively more opportunity to save their earnings.
"if a worker pays a recruiting agency to get a job in Cambodia s/he will have less possibility to earn more due to low salary there," the official said.
At present, a small number of Bangladeshis have got jobs in Cambodia.
As the Malaysian labour market shrinks, some Bangladeshis workers from the country have travelled to Cambodia to find a job, the official said.
($1 = Tk 84.7)