In April alone some 66,196 workers went abroad with jobs to the comfort of the national exchequer, which is hoping remittances to surpass US$ 6 billion dollars this fiscal year ending in June.

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury told a press briefing at the PID yesterday that the country also earned a record amount of remittance worth Tk 14, 145 crore in four months ending April.

Painting a rosy picture of success in manpower export, Chowdhury said the Malaysian government has so far approved recruitment of 2, 69,978 Bangladeshi workers.

Of them, fingerprints of 1,17,525 workers were sent to Malaysia for their 'calling visas'. So far calling visas of 91,296 workers have been received.

In reply to a question, the adviser said the government is contemplating formulating policy on female workers who intend to go abroad with employment.

He said some 68, 147 female workers got employment abroad and in four months up to April 60,093 female workers went abroad.

Chowdhury who goes on a trip to South Korea on Saturday said Dhaka and Seoul will sign an MOU on June 6 providing for import of semi-skilled labourers from Bangladesh.

Under the Employment Permit System (EPS), he said the Korean government will recruit 50,000 workers from 14 countries. Under a special package they will recruit some 10,000 workers from four countries including Bangladesh.

"One prime target of the present government is to open newer windows in economic front," the adviser told the briefing.

Chowdhury who is also scheduled to visit Canberra middle of next month will hold meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and sign an MOU to create opportunity for Bangladeshis to work under Work and Holiday Visa Program.

Besides, he said the government is taking initiatives to dispatch workers to Sudan, Afghanistan and Canada.

The adviser said an effort is underway to set up a catering institute of international standard here with the support of the British government so that trained workers get job in expanding catering industry in the UK.

Asked if any action was taken against unscrupulous recruiting agencies, Chowdhury said, "We are extremely conscious about that and we will not tolerate that."

He said after inquiry the authorities concerned cancelled licenses of some recruiting agencies and realised fine from them.

Out of 52 complaints against recruiting agencies, 36 cases were settled by realising more than Tk 36 lakh and the money was returned to aggrieved persons.

The adviser said "it is not our sole objective to send workers abroad and receive money. Our prime aim is to ensure the highest welfare of our workers employed abroad and increase the welfare if necessary."

Appearing a bit emotional Chowdhury said "they (workers) may be hapless, but they are our real assets. We want to establish this asset in society."

The adviser, who made a surprise visit to immigration counters at Zia international airport recently, said tough actions would be taken

against any harassment of the departing or arriving workers at the airport.

Secretary to the Expatriate Welfare Ministry Abdul Matin Chowdhury also responded to queries from reporters.