An investigation found out that there are racketeers using fake photocopy visas to misguide the jobseekers of Bangladesh on the promise of giving them good job opportunities. And in reality, they are thrown in Sulaimaniya or somewhere in Iran, where they lead a subhuman and jobless life. A taskforce was formed in January to probe into the matter of irregularities in recruitment system of overseas jobs. A member of this body gave his opinion that is an easy task to forge photocopy visas, and it is in advantage of cheats. It is also reported by a member of taskforce that this deceptive practice of faking documents has been maximally found in case of photocopy visas.

Photocopy visas are sent by the employers of UAE to Bangladesh for the recruitment purpose. Bureau of manpower employment and training (BMET) in Bangladesh grants emigration clearance against these visas but does not take the step to check the whether the visas are real or fake.

It is a very sensitive issue and demands attentions from the authorities of both Bangladesh and UAE. A member of taskforce has also reported that the workers having fake photocopy visas are instructed to wear clothes bearing special symbols by which they are identified. They are strictly asked to stay in transport, and are not allowed to cross the immigration section after reaching Dubai.

The returnees from Sulaimaniya have reported to taskforce that there are several Bangladeshis in Iraq, who have been victim of this fake photocopy visas and they are live a subhuman life there. International Organisation for Migration is also assisting these victims to come back to their home, and has been successful till an extent. Though law enforcers have arrested four racketeers involved in this act, but the coverage of entire network is long way to go. Members of taskforce have planned to take the issue to the authority of UAE and ask for their cooperation in this regard. The Director General of BMET holds the opinion that though there are cases of fake photocopy visas but it is not that big an issue of concern, as the number is not that high.

Immigration officials of Dubai are of the opinion that such cases of transportation and return of Bangladeshis from Dubai is a regular phenomenon. So, from their side they have asked the government to keep a check on sending bangladeshis to UAE, but no step has yet been taken in this respect.
The delicacy of this issue needs attention from the authorities of both Bangladesh and UAE, then only the solution can be met.