Masum Khan boarded a plane heading to Malaysia a month ago with the hope of earning enough money to support himself and his family back home in Bangladesh. But in just weeks, the economic turmoil sweeping the world dashed his hopes and forced him to go home empty-handed. He could not even enter Malaysia, let alone work, after the government, hard-hit by the economic downturn, revoked work visas for more than 55,000 Bangladeshis. Khan is one of thousands of Bangladeshi immigrant workers hit by the economic crisis. In February, the number of returnee workers stood at over eight thousand, double the figure the month before. The Bangladesh government said overseas jobs fell by more than 40,000 in January compared to a year ago. Migrant workers have for years helped prop up Bangladesh’s economy. Unofficially, at least nine million Bangladeshis, including those who leave through illegal channels, are thought to be working overseas, according to recruitment agents. Officially, the figure is put at 6.3 million.
BANGLADESH WORKERS COMING BACK
Masum Khan boarded a plane heading to Malaysia a month ago with the hope of earning enough money to support himself and his family back home in Bangladesh. But in just weeks, the economic turmoil sweeping the world dashed his hopes and forced him to go home empty-handed.
