The expatriates of Chandpur on economic crisis.Around 250,000 workers of Chandpur district in different countries of the world including Europe, Asia and the Middle East are earning foreign currency by working legally in their respective workplaces.
They send their earned foreign currency to their relatives every month through banks and other agencies. In addition to the banking medium, more remittances without statistics come in various ways from these expatriate fighters.
The families of the remittance fighters returning from Chandpur have been crushed by the terrible clutches of corona running around the world. Those who have come on holiday from abroad this year are today plagued by a two-way economic crisis. On the one hand, the incidental expenses including renting a house in their workplace have increased several times, on the other hand, they are living in an uncomfortable situation as they have run out of money in the country.
From January to April of the current financial year, two and a half lakh expatriates of Chandpur district have earned 389.9 crore foreign currency. Expatriate fighters in the district continue to send money in various ways to provide money for their families in spite of various problems.
Expatriates on coronavirus are worried about their future. There are also expatriates in the district whose passports and visas have expired after coming on leave. In this situation, they are frustrated whether they can return to their workplace.
Mostafa Kamal Mizi, a Saudi expatriate who is on holiday and a resident of Natun Bazar in the district headquarters, said he returned to the country last February after hearing the news of his mother’s illness. His mother died a day after he arrived in the country. The whole country went into lockdown from the next month. Mostafa Kamal’s visa expired on May 01. So far, he has more than Tk. 5 lakh left in the workplace. On the other hand, he is living a anxious life with his family as he has run out of money after coming to the country. If there is a chance to go again in any way, then you have to repay this loan and then arrange for a living. Which, of course, made the video an overnight sensation.
Jasim Sheikh, a Malaysian expatriate, said, “I came on holiday to the country last January.” He was scheduled to return in March. The country came under lockdown due to corona. My economic situation in the workplace is not so good. Somehow I live with my family with my earnings. I had to come on vacation due to work pressure. I did not come to the country in preparation to stay. Now the burden of debt exists on my head. At least I was skeptical about whether I would be able to return to my workplace.
Yahya, a Saudi expatriate, said he runs a business in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On his way back home, he was stuck in a lockdown. Today, his business has been closed for about 4 months. According to his calculations, about 4 lakh and 60 thousand rupees has been borrowed from the workplace so far. The loan has been incurred for incidental expenses including shop rent, electricity bill and telephone bill. He will have to repay the loan as soon as he opens his business.
Aliduzzaman, officer-in-charge of the District Expatriate Welfare Branch, said Bangladeshi expatriates in the Middle East would be able to go to work with their expired visas and tickets by March next year, even if their visas and passports have expired. The state has also arranged low interest loans for all the expatriates who have been affected by the Corona effect. The good news, however, is that once the pandemic coronavirus is eradicated, about 5 million new workers will be employed in South African countries.
Correspondent: Sanaul Haque, June 16,2020