BANGLADESHIS CONFINED IN IRAQI LABOUR CAMP
Families of 27 demand immediate rescue
Migrants’ families on Monday demanded immediate rescue of 27 Bangladeshi workers confined in a labour camp in Iraq without jobs, salaries and sufficient food for the last four months.
They formed an hour-long human chain from 11:00am in front of the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training in Kakrail, and then submitted an application to BMET Director General Begum Shamsunnahar.
The families said the workers went to Iraq in February and March this year through recruiting agency Morning Sun Enterprise to work for a construction company in Najaf, 160 kilometers south of Baghdad at a monthly salary of $350.
They said Bangladesh Migrants Forum (BMF), an NGO for the migrants, was also involved in the migration process of some of the 27 workers. Yet, the migrants could not avoid troubles.
“We are living in a humanitarian situation. We are provided with minimal food, there is no electricity,” Shaon Ali, a victim hailing from Meherpur, told The Daily Star over phone from Najaf.
He said they were not allowed to go out of the camp guarded by security men.
“As we demanded jobs, salaries and sufficient food and water, employer’s staff threatened us of beating. Please help us get out of it,” Shaon said.
Mamun Mia, a relative of victim Shaheen Mia from Narsingdi, said the workers spent Tk 3 lakh to Tk 4 lakh that they mobilised by taking loans and selling properties.
“The lenders are demanding repay of the loan. In failure, its interest is going up,” he told The Daily Star.
Despite repeated attempts, Morning Sun Enterprise Managing Partner Mohammed Rokonuzzaman could not be contacted for comments.
Joynal Abedin Joy, chairman of BMF, said they actively helped ten workers in getting loans from the Expatriates’ Welfare Bank, and verified their visas and job documents to ensure safe migration.
He said as migrants are now in trouble without jobs, they contacted Morning Sun Enterprise that assured payment of three months’ salaries to the migrant’s families by July 25.
Joynal said he also contacted the Iraqi employer, Abu Tarab Project authorities that informed it is yet to start the project as all of their nearly 400 workers have not yet reached Iraq.
“Morning Sun is trying to ensure all necessities of the 27 workers in Najaf,” he said.
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