Zero Cost Recruitment

Based on statistical analysis, recently Bangladesh has sent a large number of workers to other nations, resulting in substantial remittances that have boosted our economy. Despite this, a large percentage of Bangladeshi workers remain undocumented. The recruiting organizations financially suffocate them, and as a result, they have become victims in other countries. ILO states that recruitment fees or related costs should not be collected from workers by an employer,  their subsidiaries, labor recruiters, or other third parties providing related services.

The current coronavirus outbreak has abruptly halted the deployment and employment of millions of migrant workers worldwide, many of whom are owed to agents, subagents, family members, or small lenders back home. Many migrant workers are found COVID-19 positive who work in the health care services frontline. As a result of the existing global economic system, migrant workers may be in debt for a year or two before they can earn a reasonable living income that allows them to support themselves and their families. As a result, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (2030 SDGs) recognize the positive contribution of migrants for inclusive growth and sustainable development. The Global Compact for Migration (GCM), which nations approved in 2018, expressly calls on states to encourage fair and ethical recruiting and to protect working conditions that allow decent labor to prevent debt bondage, exploitation, for effective recruitment industry regulation and monitoring.

Regional Consultative Processes have acknowledged that establishing decent employment for migrants entails resolving concerns with migrant worker recruitment. The 2016 Colombo Process ministerial statement encouraged member states to strive toward the reform of the recruitment sector by guaranteeing those migrant workers from Colombo Process member countries to be recruited/placed at no cost to the worker. Governments must guarantee that, during this period of pandemic crisis, private recruiting firms (both in the countries of origin and destination) assist their employees, particularly those in the first six months of their contract.