Foreign workers in Mauritius are facing increasing difficulties when it comes to sending money abroad.
With limits on the amounts that can be transferred by exchange agencies, these workers are often forced to endure long hours waiting in line at money transfer offices, hoping to secure a chance to send money back home to their families.
L’Express reported on Bangladeshi workers who queue at a money transfer office in Port Louis as from 4 am.
Some workers even go to the extreme of camping out overnight, sleeping on cardboard boxes, just to ensure they are among the first to receive a “ticket”.
“This exhausting and inhumane routine is nothing new, but as the number of foreign workers in the country continues to grow and they play a vital role in the country’s economy, the queues are getting longer.
It is a situation that unfolds in front of everyone’s eyes, including those of the government leaders.
However, it should by no means become the norm, especially considering the fact that this year alone, Mauritius has been flagged three times by the US Department of State for human rights violations,” it said.
The limitations on money transfers have far-reaching consequences for foreign workers.
Many of them come from countries where their families rely on the financial support sent from abroad for basic necessities such as food, housing, and education.
With the stringent limits in place, they are unable to meet the needs of their loved ones, causing undue stress and financial strain.
Money transfer agencies should work towards finding a solution that benefits both the workers and their families.
One potential solution could be to increase the limit on the amount of money that can be transferred, enabling workers to provide adequate support to their families without going through the gruelling process of waiting in long queues.
Source: l’Express
