I’m contemplating to sell my kidneys, says migrant worker stuck in Bangladesh

THERE are approximately 25,000 Bangladeshis now stranded in their home country, unable to return to Malaysia to resume working.

Making matters worse, they are also unable to find employment in their homeland due to various reasons.

“My children cry for milk but I have no money. I can’t fulfill any of my children’s needs and making me feel like a loser.

“There are times I have even considered selling off my kidneys for my family’s sake,” 35-years-old Salim (not his real name) tearfully told FocusM when contacted.

Salim is one of the many migrant workers employed by Sime Darby Plantations Bhd who is unable to return to Malaysia due to travel restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Elaborating, Salim said that he has been employed by Sime Darby Plantations for five years and he went back to Bangladesh on Jan 8 last year, to visit his family; his wife and two children.

However, Malaysia and several other nations imposed a strict lockdown to curb the spread of the deadly pandemic.

Although the lockdowns were necessary to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the likes of Salim are unable to return to Malaysia and resume work.

“When I call my employers, they keep saying the travel restrictions will be lifted in a month. However, one year have passed and only God knows how I’m suffering.

“My wife has sold off all her jewellery to make ends meet. I have no parents to support me either,” said Salim.

Salim and many others have been pressing the Bangladeshi Government on the matter but the latter have told them that there is little they could do as Malaysia has yet to relax its travel restrictions.

However, Salim alleged that there were double standards being practiced, as rich investors are still being allowed to travel to Malaysia.

“There seems to be one rule for the rich and another for the poor. I wish to remind the Malaysian Government that we’re working there legally.

“Please let us back in. We have always adhered to Malaysians laws and will definitely abide by COVID-19 standard operating procedure (SOP). Besides, there is very little cases of COVID-19 in Bangladesh.

“Right now, all of us stranded here are pooling resources to help one another. Yes, we’re not wealthy but we do our best for each other,” Salim said.

Unable to get jobs in home country

Another Bangladeshi worker, 29-year-old Usman (not his real name), said he had been stranded in his homeland for nine months and is desperate to come back to Malaysia to resume work.

“I returned to Bangladesh in February last year to visit my sickly mother. I came here after getting permission from my employer.

“But in March, both Bangladesh and Malaysia closed its borders due to the pandemic. I thought it would only last up to three months but that was not the case,” said an upset Usman, who has been employed by Top Glove Corp Bhd for the last two years.

Queried on getting temporary employment in his home country, Usman said that many Bangladeshi employers refuse to entertain him once they found out he has a job in Malaysia.

“They fear that once Malaysia opens its borders, we will quit abruptly and leave.

“I have asked for jobs in many places including sundry shops but none wants to take me in,” he added.

Usman added that he is suffering from tremendous amount of pressure due to the issue, and it was the same with many other Bangladeshi workers there.

“I have sleepless nights because of this. I have a large family to support, including my parents and siblings,” he said.

Usman then urged the Malaysian Government to give a clear-cut information on when it will open up its borders, so that they can return to work as usual.

“We have spoken to our Government. They have indicated that it is up the Malaysian Government on when it will open its borders.

“And I have also contacted my employers about this but I understand their hands tied as well,” he said. – Jan 9, 2021.

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