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About 51 per cent overseas jobseekers experienced fraudulence or degrading treatment at different stages of their migration process, said preliminary findings of a study.
Among the cheated jobseekers, 19 per cent failed to go abroad after paying a part or full amount of money while 32 per cent experienced fraudulence in the destination countries, according to the study conducted by Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU).
The study also found that each of the total 693 households had lost Tk 243,247 being victim of fraudulence while processing migration.
The findings were revealed at a dialogue on 'Fraudulence in Migration Process' at Senate Bhaban in the Dhaka University Wednesday. It was organised by RMMRU.
Because of involvement of a section of dishonest sub-agents in the manpower sending process, workers fall victim to fraudulence regularly, said RMMRU founding chair Tasneem Siddiqui while releasing findings of the study.
So the government should introduce a mechanism to identify sub-agents to check their malpractices, she said.
RMMRU under the PROKAS project of British Council carried out the research on the role of dalals (sub-agents) in the migration process.
The findings are from a near census that was conducted for identifying the extent of fraudulence in Tangail district, said Ms Tasneem Siddiqui.
Some 300 households from each village/ward constituted the enumeration area and altogether 5,407 households were covered under the census, she said.
The study showed that 44 per cent of those who went to Libya had faced fraudulence and degrading treatment while 42 per cent in the Maldives, 40 per cent in Oman, 39.2 per cent in Qatar, 37 per cent in the UAE, 36 per cent in Malaysia, 25 per cent in Saudi Arabia and 24 per cent in Singapore.
Some 32 per cent workers experienced fraudulence or degrading treatment in the countries of destination.
About seven per cent faced jail or detention; six per cent were subjected to extortion and blackmail, 10 per cent faced police harassment, 14 per cent physical and mental torture, 12 per cent led inhumane life in deserts, jungles and remote islands and 10 per cent experienced non-payment or irregular payment of wages.
Besides, 52 per cent said that they were not provided with adequate and appropriate food and accommodation.
Some 97 per cent workers were dependent on close family members, friends or sub-agents to go abroad with jobs.
Speaking as chief guest, retired judge of Appellate Division of the Supreme Court Justice Mohammad Nizamul Huq Nasim said it is necessary to take proper steps to check deceitful activities from this section.
He also emphasised on bringing middleman under legal framework to help ensure safe migration.
Jabed Ahmed, additional secretary, KM Ali Reza, deputy chief at the ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, CR Abrar, executive director of RMMRU, Benjir Ahmed, president and Shameem Ahmed Chowdhury Noman joint secretary general of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), Rahnuma Salam Khan, national programme officer of ILO among others were present at the programme.