Bangladeshi female workers lack skills, get low wages in UAE: UN Women study

BANGLADESH_(F)_0729_-_Lavoratrici_migrantIThe wage of Bangladeshi women working in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is lower than that of other labour sending countries for lack of their adequate skills, according to a UN Women study.

It said the existing 21 days’ skill training, offered by the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) is not enough for developing the minimum skill expected by the employers. It also said that the skill factor is crucial for negotiating higher wages.

The wage of a Bangladeshi domestic help in UAE is United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED) 750. On the other hand, the minimum salary of a housemaid of other countries with some skills is between AED 800 and 1000. Many of them earn much more, said the findings.

The study on ‘External Market Analysis for Women Migrant workers of Bangladesh’ was conducted by the UN Women in 2014. The analysis was carried out in the UAE, one of the popular destination countries for women workers.
The research also found out that skilled and semi-skilled workers enjoy much better living, working and social conditions than the virtually illiterate and unskilled workers.

The employers of the UAE are willing to pay a higher salary to those who know the job, can speak English and communicate with them and their children who are studying in English medium schools.
The UN Women findings also showed that migrant female workers, especially the housemaids, from Bangladesh are working virtually under forced labour conditions.

They cannot communicate with their employers, recruiting agencies, social organisations and relevant government agencies or with the embassies.
They are not even aware of the terms and conditions of their employment and their rights and privileges in the host country.

The study, however, said the global demand for women workers from developing countries like Bangladesh is increasing day by day. The women of Bangladesh migrate to other countries for a better living.
To cope with the demand, Bangladesh needs to make its labour force ready with proper skills.

It appears that due to lack of proper market analysis, there is information gap to understand the country wise demand for skilled workers.

About the issue Shakirul Islam, chairman of Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP) said before sending female workers abroad the government must be aware about their skill training as wage and other facilities depend on workers’ quality.

Besides, due to lack of proper training female workers are vulnerable to abuse in various ways.
But there is a lot of shortcomings in the government’s training programme. Workers are not being provided with practical knowledge in the training course. Under the existing training module workers are being provided with some words and some rules and regulation verbally.

“So they cannot gather their necessary knowledge which they need at their workplaces,” he added.
The government should focus on practical training programme to get desired result, the migrant right activist said.

আরও খবর
আপনার কমেন্ট লিখুন

Your email address will not be published.