Prothom Alo (Bangladesh) published a summary of a workshop that discussed the IFPRI titled, ‘Effect of COVID-19 on Bangladeshi Women Immigrants.’ IFPRI conducted the study on 655 female migrant workers returning to the country from July to August last year. Results show that many migrant women are in dire straits in terms of quality of life and their economic situation. About 59 percent of female workers have returned after the onset of coronary heart disease. The remaining 41 percent have returned before (2016 to March 2020). Eleven percent of those surveyed thought that their contracts had been reduced due to corona. The rest returned for other reasons. Fifty-three percent of women workers returned to the country and did not try to find work. And 28 percent tried but could not find a job. Most workers do not get real time off. The panelists suggest several solutions: migrant hostels must be built and occupied by workers to give them rest, girls must make their voices heard, and employers ought to pay for their passports and training.
You have to work 14 hours, you don’t get 7 percent weekly leave (Prothom Alo)
May 12, 2022