Zeba, the University Professor and Humanitarian

“We need more talk, we should know more, and we should break the bias we have,” these are the words of Dr. Zeba, a Bangladeshi migrant worker who is an assistant professor teaching biochemistry.

Dr. Zeba has lived in the Maldives for eight years now, who left her university job in her home country to be relocated in the Maldives.

“I’m in a professional job. This gives me privilege. But this privilege life also gives me chances to meet many migrants, especially women migrant workers.”

She is also insistent that we must get rid of our confirmation bias when we meet someone from another culture. Dr. Zeba is also concerned with the low level of inclusiveness of these women migrant workers, but mostly with the state of accommodations.

Additionally, Dr. Zeba highlighted that she wants to see the same maternity leave protocols guaranteed by the Maldivian law applied to female migrant workers as well.“Why should there be discrimination between locals and migrant workers? It should be the same.”

Migration is a growing phenomenon, which influences the health and development of both the migrants and the communities they live in.

About 12% of labour stock of migrant workers in the Maldives are women. Many come to the Maldives to support their families, and it’s hard enough to do that so far away from their loved ones.

Our political and social structures need to respond to the challenges and hurdles they face.
Watch full interview video: https://www.facebook.com/mmwmaldives/videos/1472456729879467/

– Photostories and interview in partnership with Mission for Migrant Workers Maldives