[🇧🇩] Manpower Export: Prospects and Challenges.

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MANPOWER EXPORT TO MALAYSIA: Mustafa Kamal among 12 sued

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday filed 12 cases against former planning and finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and his family members, among 32 people, on charges of embezzling Tk 1,128 crore by extracting unlawful amounts for fees from migrant workers.

www.newagebd.net

MANPOWER EXPORT TO MALAYSIA: Mustafa Kamal among 12 sued
Staff Correspondent 11 March, 2025, 23:23

AHM Mustafa Kamal. | File photo

Tk 1,128cr embezzlement alleged

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday filed 12 cases against former planning and finance minister AHM Mustafa Kamal and his family members, among 32 people, on charges of embezzling Tk 1,128 crore by extracting unlawful amounts for fees from migrant workers.

The accused are owners and officials of 12 recruiting agencies.

The other accused include three more former lawmakers—Nizam Uddin Hazari, Lieutenant General (retired) Masud Uddin Chowdhury and Benajir Ahmed—and well-known business magnate Mohd Noor Ali and his family members.

The agency filed the cases with its Dhaka-1 integrated district office following approval of the commission on the day, said its director general for prevention Md Akhtar Hossain.

According to the cases, the accused are charged with embezzling and laundering Tk 1,128 crore which they allegedly took from the workers they sent to Malaysia by charging them excess of the government-set fee Tk 78,990 for each worker.

The statements of the cases said that the 12 recruitment agencies unlawfully took additional Tk 1,67,500 beyond the government-approved rate from each of the over 67,380 workers.

The statement of a case filed against AHM Mustafa Kamal, the owner of Orbital Enterprise, and his wife Kashmiri Kamal, said that from 6,029 workers they took Tk 100 crore excess of the government-fixed rate.

In yet another case, Mustafa Kamal and daughter Nafisa Kamal as co-owners of another company ‘Orbital International’ are accused of embezzling Tk 50 crore from 2,995 workers.

The case against former lawmaker from the Feni-22 constituency, Nizam Uddin Hazari, and his wife Nurjahan Begum states that their company ‘Snigdha Overseas,’ illegally took Tk 111.5 crore from 6,657 workers.

Snigdha Overseas officials Sheikh Abdullah, Jahangir Alam, M Amirul Islam, Jasim Uddin and Ziaur Rahman have also been accused in the case.

In another case, recruiting agency ‘Binimoy International’ owner and former Chauddagram upazila chairman Abdus Sobhan Bhuiyan and his wife Taslima Akhtar have been accused on charges of taking Tk 91.42 crore illegally from 5,458 workers.

Masud Uddin Chowdhury, a retired lieutenant general, and his daughter Tasnia Masud, owners of ‘5 M International Limited’, and its officials Mohammad Abdul Mukit and Mehbuba Aftab Shathi in another case have been charged with illegally taking Tk 119.32 crore from 7,124 workers.

The ACC has also filed a case against Unique Eastern Ltd owners Mohd Noor Ali, his wife Selina Ali and daughter Nabila Ali, and company officials Nasir Uddin Ahmed and Khandaker Shawkat Hossain on charges of unlawfully taking Tk 63.44 crore from 3,788 workers.

Another case has been filed against Catharsis International Ltd owners Md Ruhul Amin and wife Lutfur Nessa Shelly for taking an additional Tk 130.43 crore from 7,787 workers.

Former lawmaker from the Dhaka-20 constituency Benjir Ahmed, also owner of M/S Ahmed International, has been accused in a case for taking additional Tk 143.91 crore from 8,592 workers.

Shafiqul Islam, former councillor of Badda and owner of BM Travels Ltd, along with his wife Mousumi Akhter, has been accused in another case on charges of unlawfully taking Tk 135.55 crore from 8,093 workers.

The anti-corruption agency has also filed a case against Engineer Ishtiaq Ahmed Soikat, owner of BNS Overseas Ltd, and his wife Nasrun Nessa on charges of illegally taking Tk 70.6 crore from 4,215 workers through his company.

The commission filed a case against Md Mojibur Hossain Rubel, the owner of Rubel Bangladesh, and his wife Kamrun Nahar Hiramoni, alleging that their company illegally charged an additional Tk 47.65 crore from 2,845 workers.

The owners of The Ifti Overseas, Md Rubel and Borhan Uddin (Panna), are among the accused in a case filed on charges of illegally extracting Tk 63.59 crore from 3,797 workers.

The anti-corruption commission said that the recruitment agencies were found to have abused their position by illegally charging workers exorbitant fees in excess of the government’s approved rate, under the guise of fees for passport handling, health check-up and other administrative services.

The ACC said that its inquiry revealed that these individuals and companies systematically violated Bangladesh’s recruitment and labour export laws and regulations to exploit the migrant workers.​

 

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Jahangir urges Saudi Arabia to take more manpower from Bangladesh

Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) has called upon Saudi Arabia to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh. “Saudi Arabia is one of the largest development partners of Bangladesh. The largest numbers of Bangladeshis are now working in Saudi Arabia. Currently, 3

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Jahangir urges Saudi Arabia to take more manpower from Bangladesh
Published :
Apr 09, 2025 21:45
Updated :
Apr 09, 2025 22:04

Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd.) has called upon Saudi Arabia to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh.

“Saudi Arabia is one of the largest development partners of Bangladesh. The largest numbers of Bangladeshis are now working in Saudi Arabia. Currently, 3.2 million Bangladeshis are working in different sectors in Saudi Arabia. Increase the recruitment of Bangladeshis to 4 million,” he said.

He made the appeal when Saudi Arabia ambassador Essa Bin Yousef Essa Al Duhailan paid a courtesy call on the adviser at his ministry office at Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka, reports BSS.

The meeting discussed various issues of mutual interest that include ithe ssuance and re-issuance of passports in favour of 69,000 Bangladeshi citizens living in Saudi Arabia without valid passports.

The Saudi Ambassador assured that Saudi Arabia’s all-round cooperation in the development of Bangladesh will continue.

“In addition to manpower export, cooperation between the countries has been continuing on various sectors, including business, trade, investment, tourism and culture,” he said.

The envoy said that Saudi Arabia has always been by Bangladesh’s side and will continue to be in the near future.

Special Assistant to Hon’ble Chief Adviser (Equivalent to State Minister) Md. Khuda Baksh Chowdhury, Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Nasimul Ghani, and senior officials of the Ministries of Home and Foreign Affairs, were present.​

 

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Bangladesh urges Slovakia to recruit Bangladeshi workers

Bangladesh has urged Slovakia to recruit a good number of Bangladeshi workers in various sectors including automotive industry and facilitate Slovak visa for Bangladeshi citizens. The call was made when Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam had

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh urges Slovakia to recruit Bangladeshi workers
BSS
Published :
Apr 12, 2025 16:29
Updated :
Apr 12, 2025 16:29

Bangladesh has urged Slovakia to recruit a good number of Bangladeshi workers in various sectors including automotive industry and facilitate Slovak visa for Bangladeshi citizens.

The call was made when Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain and Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam had a meeting with Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovakia Juraj Blanár on the sidelines of the 'Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF)2025' in Antalya, Turkey on Friday, said a foreign ministry's press release here.

During their meeting, both sides acknowledged the importance of further strengthening the relationship between Bangladesh and Slovakia, which is grounded in shared values, principles, and mutual understanding.

They expressed their commitment to enhancing bilateral ties across various areas of shared interest.

The foreign adviser emphasized the need for boosting cooperation in the field of bilateral trade, investment and economic collaboration.

He apprised of Bangladesh's potential as investment destination and urged to send a Slovak delegation to Bangladesh to find the potentials of trade and investment.

Hossain further proposed that the Slovak Republic can follow the 'Talent Partnership' model of the European Union to recruit Bangladeshi workers in various sectors.

They also discussed ways for enhancing cooperation in different multilateral fora.

The Slovak Minister agreed to enhance B to B connection and send a business team to Bangladesh to explore opportunities for investment.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Turkey and other senior officials from both the sides attended the meeting.

The three-day ADF 2025 kicked off today in Antalya hosted by the Turkish Foreign Ministry with the theme, "Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World", under the patronage of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

This year's theme reflects the pressing need for diplomacy to reassert itself as a stabilizing force, amid rising global divisions.

The ADF gathered global leaders, policymakers, academics, business experts and as well as representatives of media and civil society to explore how diplomacy can turn the tide and navigate us through a fragmented world to find a common ground for collective action.

More than 20 heads of state and government, over 50 foreign ministers, more than 70 ministers, and approximately 60 senior representatives from international organizations, as well as over 4,000 guests, including students attended the forum.​

 

[Saif]

Migrants' lives matter more than their remittances

Ensure safe recruitment, working conditions for migrant workers

www.thedailystar.net

Migrants' lives matter more than their remittances
Ensure safe recruitment, working conditions for migrant workers

VISUAL: STAR

It is unfortunate that we celebrate the remittance earnings of our migrant workers but our actions fall drastically short when it comes to ensuring their safety, dignity, and well-being both at home and abroad. In particular, the steady stream of coffins returning home—with migrants' lives cut short by health issues, workplace accidents, etc.—is a stark reminder of our collective failure to protect them.

According to the Wage Earners' Welfare Board, 4,813 bodies of migrant workers were brought back to Bangladesh in 2024 alone. The number of deaths has been rising steadily since 2020, increasing by more than 50 percent. In total, over the past four decades, at least 57,216 migrant workers' bodies have been repatriated. Many more are buried overseas, with families sometimes choosing not to bring the bodies home. When a body is repatriated, the Welfare Board provides Tk 35,000 for burial and transport costs. Besides, under a 2023 insurance scheme, families of insured workers who paid a one-time Tk 1,000 premium can receive up to Tk 10 lakh in the event of a work-related death.

Ironically, the official causes of death in most cases are listed as strokes, brain haemorrhages, or heart attacks—categorised as "natural causes." But experts have questioned this narrative, pointing out that most deceased workers were between 38 and 42 years old and reportedly had no prior health issues. Unfortunately, bodies are not re-autopsied upon return to Bangladesh. As a government official told this daily, rather unconvincingly, it is "difficult" to probe these untimely deaths further as autopsies conducted in host countries fall under their legal jurisdiction. But the question remains: Why, after all these years, have we failed to ensure a transparent and credible process for investigating the deaths of our migrant workers?

Government data shows that most of these deaths occur in the Gulf region, where extreme heat and gruelling work conditions—especially at construction sites—have taken a severe toll. A 2023 study highlighted the link between excessive heat and poor health outcomes among workers in the Gulf. Yet, there has been little visible effort to negotiate better terms for Bangladeshi workers abroad.

Given these realities, we urge the government to push for safer and more humane recruitment and working conditions in host countries. Employers must be compelled to comply with international labour standards, ensuring not just better wages but also improved living conditions and healthcare access. At the same time, migration costs must be reduced so that workers are not forced to endure dangerous jobs just to recover their investment. The authorities must also ramp up efforts to crack down on fraudulent agents involved in fake recruitment, wage theft, and forced labour. We must remember that migrant workers deserve protection, dignity, and justice. Their lives, health, and the well-being of their families must be as high a priority as the remittances they send home.​

 

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Italy to support Bangladesh in curbing illegal migration: Adviser Jahangir

Italy has pledged to support Bangladesh in preventing illegal migration and human trafficking, along with strengthening the capacity of Bangladesh police, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Thursday. He made the remarks after a meeting with Italian Ambassador to

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Italy to support Bangladesh in curbing illegal migration: Adviser Jahangir
Published :
Apr 24, 2025 20:51
Updated :
Apr 24, 2025 20:51

Italy has pledged to support Bangladesh in preventing illegal migration and human trafficking, along with strengthening the capacity of Bangladesh police, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said on Thursday.

He made the remarks after a meeting with Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro at his office at the Secretariat, UNB reports.

The meeting discussed issues of mutual interest, including the upcoming visit of Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to Bangladesh on May 5 to 6, cooperation in the security sector, advanced training for police and BGB personnel, maintaining public order, and tackling transnational crimes.

Welcoming the ambassador, the adviser said Italy is a trusted friend of Bangladesh. He highlighted the contributions of around 250,000 skilled Bangladeshi workers in Italy, who play a vital role in the country’s economic growth by sending remittances.

He expressed hope that the Italian minister’s upcoming visit would further strengthen bilateral ties and create more opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Italy.

The ambassador said the Italian interior minister will meet Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, and advisers from the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, and Expatriates’ Welfare ministries during his visit.

On May 5, the Italian minister will receive a guard of honour from the Ministry of Home Affairs and hold a bilateral meeting with Adviser Jahangir.

The two sides may sign declarations, memorandums of understanding (MoUs), or agreements on issues such as combating illegal migration, cross-border crime, and police cooperation.

The adviser reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to exporting manpower through legal channels and in compliance with international norms. “We are against illegal migration,” he said, adding that legal action will be taken against human traffickers and brokers facilitating illegal travel to Italy and other countries.

The ambassador also wished success to Bangladesh’s interim government and assured of Italy’s continued support.

Senior officials from the ministry and the Italian embassy, including Md Shamim Khan, additional secretary (Security and Immigration), Md Jasim Uddin Khan, joint secretary (Political-1), and Giuseppe Di Giovanni, migration attaché of the Italian Embassy in Dhaka, were present.​

 

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Why fewer workers going to Italy despite potential job scope

Although among European countries, Italy is considered one of the most promising labour markets, many workers from Bangladesh are struggling to secure jobs there due to a lack of language skills and technical knowledge.

en.prothomalo.com

Why fewer workers going to Italy despite potential job scope
Mohiuddin Dhaka
Published: 10 May 2025, 22: 44

Although among European countries, Italy is considered one of the most promising labour markets, many workers from Bangladesh are struggling to secure jobs there due to a lack of language skills and technical knowledge.

There have also been allegations of fake job offers, prompting the Italian government to impose strict visa requirements. As a result, despite having significant job opportunities, the number of Bangladeshi workers going to Italy remains low.

After a seven-year hiatus, a bilateral agreement between Bangladesh and Italy was signed in 2020 to facilitate worker recruitment. Workers began traveling again in 2021. According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), 653 workers went to Italy in 2021, rising to 7,594 in 2022, and 16,879 in 2023. But in 2024, the number dropped sharply to just 1,164, with 1,246 more in the first four months of 2025.

Officials say that even after receiving job offers, visa processing at the Italian embassy in Dhaka takes a long time, sometimes over a year. After complaints from applicants about their passports being withheld for extended periods, many were returned. However, once job verification is complete, the passports must be resubmitted. Delays in legal migration may encourage some to try entering Italy illegally via the Mediterranean Sea.

A man from Barishal, using the pseudonym Shahzada, told Prothom Alo that he received a job offer as a construction worker in Italy on 28 February 2023. He submitted his passport in July, but six months later, in December, it was returned without a visa. Now he’s waiting for an email from the embassy. Another individual, who received his job offer on 2 February 2023, is also still waiting for a visa.

Recruiting agencies involved in sending workers to Italy say that Bangladesh’s overseas labour market is still mostly Middle East-focused, with only a few Asian countries as alternatives. Complications in the process hinder labour migration to these places, even though Europe offers opportunities for hundreds of thousands of workers, with better wages and more remittances. But this potential is being overlooked by successive governments. Agencies are urging the Bangladeshi and Italian governments to streamline the visa process.

Arifur Rahman, President of the Recruiting Agencies Association of Bangladesh for Europe and Developed Countries, told Prothom Alo that the Bangladeshi government should negotiate with Italy to resolve the visa bottleneck and create a roadmap for sending workers across Europe. This would include language and technical skills training, followed by matching workers with quality employers through labour wings at embassies.
Skills and language training are critical

The Ital-Bangla Coordination and Development Association, established in 1992 to support Bangladeshi migrants in Italy, said Bangladeshis started arriving in Italy in the 1980s, often through irregular means. In 1987, undocumented workers received their first legalisation opportunity. After several rounds of regularisation, Italy included Bangladesh in its official foreign worker quota in 2003, leading to a rise in Bangladeshi workers. By 2015, the Bangladeshi migrant population surpassed 200,000.

However, in 2011, Italy wanted to deport some undocumented Bangladeshis but couldn’t due to the lack of a bilateral agreement. In 2012, Italy revoked Bangladesh’s quota privileges, and in 2013, formal labour migration from Bangladesh to Italy halted. This led to an increase in illegal migration.

According to Ital-Bangla sources, in 2020, a memorandum of understanding on migration was signed. But from 2020 to 2023, about 80 per cent of workers who entered Italy with work visas eventually became undocumented. In 2023 alone, around 100,000 workers faced visa complications, and some even had their passports returned without visas. Recently, affected workers held protests in the Kakrail area of Dhaka.

Experts say Italian is the only language used in the workplace, making jobs difficult for those who don’t speak it. Many unskilled workers pay large sums for job contracts, but without basic technical skills, they struggle.

Legally, a foreign worker must remain in the country of employment for at least five years to become eligible for residency. If they leave earlier, they become undocumented in any other country.

Recent agreement with Italy

On 6 May 2024, Bangladesh and Italy signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Migration and Mobility in Dhaka. At the event, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Advisor Prof. Asif Nazrul said that Italy would recruit both seasonal and non-seasonal workers, and a joint technical committee would meet annually. Plans are underway to offer language training at technical training centres.

Nazrul emphasized the goal of increasing legal migration, ensuring that migrants travel safely and earn fair wages. He also noted that efforts are being made to speed up visa processing through discussions with the Italian embassy.

To combat irregular migration, the European Union has launched a €3 million "Talent Partnership" project, which officially started last December. It aims to supply skilled workers to Europe legally. The project will be implemented between 2024–2027 by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and BMET. The EU-Bangladesh Talent Partnership will promote safe and dignified migration.

Lack of skills leading to undocumented status

Shah Md Taifur Rahman, executive director of the Migrant Development Association in Bangladesh, said 80 per cent of workers who go to Italy become undocumented due to language and skill deficiencies.

“Those who learn Italian still get visas easily,” he said. Bangladesh must take responsibility to prevent its citizens from becoming undocumented in Europe. Without proper preparation, new agreements like this one won’t bring real benefits.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladeshis working abroad need greater attention

Economists in Bangladesh noted with great happiness that Bangladesh's inward remittance had crossed for the first time in its history the US Dollar 3 billion mark in March this year. Bangladesh Bank data indicated that Bangladesh citizens working abroad had sent remittances equivalent to US Dollar

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladeshis working abroad need greater attention
Muhammad Zamir
Published :
May 11, 2025 22:14
Updated :
May 11, 2025 22:14

Migrant workers at a construction site in Qatar Photo : Agency Photo

Economists in Bangladesh noted with great happiness that Bangladesh's inward remittance had crossed for the first time in its history the US Dollar 3 billion mark in March this year. Bangladesh Bank data indicated that Bangladesh citizens working abroad had sent remittances equivalent to US Dollar 3.29 billion in March-- a jump of nearly 65 per cent from US Dollar 1.99 billion that had come the same month a year earlier in 2024. The inflow of remittances during the July 2024-April 2025 period had grown to US Dollar 24.39 billion.

Such wonderful news has raised questions on various issues related to several dimensions pertaining not only to safe recruitment paradigm but also with regard to working conditions for migrant workers. Some socio-economic analysts have pointed out that it is unfortunate that we celebrate the remittance earnings of our migrant workers but our actions fall drastically short when it comes to ensuring their safety, dignity, and well-being both at home and abroad. In particular, the steady stream of coffins returning home-with migrants' lives cut short by health issues, workplace accidents, etc-is a stark reminder of our collective failure to protect them.

We are deeply concerned by the unnaturally high number of deaths of our migrant workers abroad, with the host country authorities failing to provide accurate explanations for them. According to the Wage Earners' Welfare Board (WEWB), 4813 dead bodies of Bangladeshi migrants arrived in the country from the destination countries in 2024, mostly from the Gulf region. The number of deaths has steadily increased since 2021-with 3,818 in 2021, 3,904 in 2022, and 4,552 in 2023. Reportedly, WEWB received 56,769 dead bodies of migrants from 1993 to 2024, which is shocking. The question is-- what is causing the deaths of so many of our workers? Have Bangladeshi authorities sought answers from the destination countries where these individuals met such dire fates?

Every year, workers leave for foreign lands, hoping to improve their financial conditions. Unfortunately, many face severe hardships and return home in coffins, particularly from the Gulf region, the primary destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers. Often, the exact causes of their deaths remain unexplained, with "heart attack" commonly mentioned in their death certificates. Additionally, our female migrant workers often face physical, psychological, and sexual abuse at the hands of their employers-and many have reportedly died by suicide.

Over the years, our returnee migrant workers have shared the miserable conditions they faced in the Gulf States. Long working hours, poor occupational health and safety practices, and exposure to cumulative health risks such as heat, air pollution, psychosocial stress, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease have been common. The question is-- have the Bangladeshi authorities made any effort to improve the living and working conditions of our workers? Additionally, our workers are under constant pressure to send money home to recoup the migration cost, leaving them with no opportunity for adequate rest. Have the authorities taken any steps to lower migration costs?

In this context, according to the Wage Earners' Welfare Board (WEWB), number of deaths has been rising steadily since 2020, increasing by more than 50 per cent. In total, over the past four decades, at least 57,216 migrant workers' bodies have been repatriated. Many more are buried overseas, with families sometimes choosing not to bring the bodies home.

It may be noted however that when a body is repatriated, the Welfare Board provides Taka 35,000 for burial and transport costs. Besides this, under a 2023 insurance scheme, families of insured workers who paid a one-time Tk 1,000 premium can receive up to Taka 1 million in the event of a work-related death.

The media has noted that the official causes of death in most cases are listed as strokes, brain hemorrhages, or heart attacks-categorised as "natural causes." However, experts have questioned this account, pointing out that most deceased workers were between 38 and 42 years old and reportedly had no prior health issues.

Unfortunately, bodies are not re-autopsied upon return to Bangladesh. A government official has tried to explain this, rather unconvincingly, that it is "difficult" to probe these untimely deaths further as autopsies conducted in host countries fall under their legal jurisdiction. Nevertheless, the question remains as to why, after all these years, we have failed to ensure a transparent and credible process for investigating the deaths of our migrant workers?

Government data indicated that most of these deaths occur in the Gulf region, where extreme heat and exhausting work conditions-especially at construction sites-have taken a severe toll. A 2023 study highlighted the link between excessive heat and poor health outcomes among workers in the Gulf.

Given these realities, one can only urge our government to push for safer and more humane recruitment and working conditions in host countries. Employers must be compelled to comply with international labour standards, ensuring not just better wages but also improved living conditions and healthcare access.

At the same time, migration costs need to be reduced so that workers are not forced to take up dangerous jobs just to recover their investment. The authorities must also enhance their efforts to crack down on fraudulent agents involved in fake recruitment, wage theft, and forced labour. We must remember that migrant workers deserve protection, dignity, and justice. Their lives, health, and the well-being of their families must be as high a priority as the remittances they send home. It should also be understood that preventing exploitation by traffickers will and can create economic opportunities at home.

In the recent past, towards the end of January we received disturbing reports of the tragic deaths of at least 23 Bangladeshi migrants whose bodies were washed ashore in northern Libya. Reports indicated that a boat carrying 56 migrants bound for Italy departed from Libya's coast on January 25. On January 28, local authorities recovered seven bodies, and over the next three days, the toll rose to 23. Two critically injured survivors were rescued and hospitalised. However, some victims remain unidentified, while officials fear the death toll may rise as there is no information about the remaining passengers.

According to the families of some identified victims, the boat passengers were being smuggled from Libya to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. All came from impoverished backgrounds, each paying between Taka 14 to 16 lakhs for the perilous journey across the Central Mediterranean route, with some Bangladeshi agents allegedly organising the operation. One recent victim, 19-year-old Titu, apparently took this life-threatening risk after being defrauded by an agent when applying for a work permit. This unfortunate scenario highlights the root of the matter.

Since 2017, Bangladeshi migrants have consistently ranked among the top nationalities crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe-a route often taken by those fleeing conflict or war in North African countries and considered as one of the most dangerous in the world. This probably underscores the grim reality driving such migrations.

While these migrants attempt to enter Europe illegally, each has their own reasons for taking such a desperate venture. Some had borrowed large sums in search of better opportunities. Others had tried to migrate legally but were deceived by unscrupulous agents, making them even more desperate.

Unfortunately, such desperation on their part to leave Bangladesh and many other countries from different parts of Africa highlights in more ways than one the severe lack of stable jobs and economic prospects in their home country.

In the meantime, the EU has decided to tighten the asylum rule with a list of 7 nations which are considered to be "safe"-- in a bid to making it harder for citizens of those nations to claim asylum in the bloc. The European Commission has said that it was proposing to designate Kosovo, Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Morocco and Tunisia as "safe countries of origin". The move is set to allow governments to process asylum applications filed from citizens of those countries more quickly -- by introducing a presumption that such applications lack merit. Magnus Brunner, the EU's Commissioner for migration has noted that "many member States are facing a significant backlog of applications, so anything we can do now to support faster asylum decisions is essential."

One needs to refer to another view before concluding this article.

Analyst Michele LeVoy has termed Europe's approach to migrant 'smuggling' as harmful and absurd. It has been noted by the analyst that "instead of tackling the lack of regular pathways, thereby forcing people to embark in dangerous migration journeys, European countries are targeting migrants while injecting billions into the border surveillance industry".

One needs also at this point to refer to the unfortunate clamp down on migrants, refugees and asylum seekers entering the United States, long described as a country built largely by immigrants. The Trump administration has been busy with "mass deportations" of not only "illegal aliens" but also "undocumented workers". President Donald Trump has also pledged to end birthright citizenship for children born in the United States, which is guaranteed by the 14th amendment of the US Constitution.

Opposition to immigration in Western developed countries is reflected in the rise of xenophobia, racism, hostility and violence toward immigrants. Far-right political leaders also often depict migrants, refugees and asylum seekers as invaders, infiltrators, criminals, rapists and terrorists, and call for them to go home and to be deported.

One can only hope that better dimensions of human rights will slowly emerge and there will be greater understanding for the poverty-stricken hemisphere - where people wanting to emigrate are generally found in poor and violence-ridden countries.

Muhammad Zamir, a former Ambassador, is an analyst specialized in foreign affairs, right to information and good governance.​

 

[Saif]

REPLANTING THE BONSAI: Empowering Bangladeshi diaspora for a changing Gulf

Chief Adviser Yunus’ keynote address urged an end to the systemic barriers that restrict the potential of young people.

www.thedailystar.net

REPLANTING THE BONSAI: Empowering Bangladeshi diaspora for a changing Gulf

Many workers fall prey to unethical recruitment practices, where agents promise jobs and charge exorbitant fees. FILE PHOTO: AFP

In the heart of Doha, a city where modernity meets tradition, the Earthna Summit 2025 was convened on April 23, in the iconic Msheireb Downtown—a district that has become a global model for fusing energy-efficient design with Qatari heritage. The event was not just a gathering of experts and policymakers. It was a moment of reflection for the Bangladeshi expatriate community, many of whom have carved out lives in the Gulf with both ambition and trepidation. As the world's leaders and innovators gathered to discuss climate change and sustainable development, the eyes of Qatar's Bangladeshi diaspora members were on a singular figure whose voice has long echoed their hopes: Chief Adviser to the Bangladesh interim government Prof Muhammad Yunus.

Chief Adviser Yunus' keynote address urged an end to the systemic barriers that restrict the potential of young people. He reminded the audience that limitations on growth often stem not from an individual's inherent capabilities, but from the structures that confine them. "A bonsai tree is not small because of its seed," he said. "It is small because of the pot it is placed in." His call to rethink these boundaries resonated across the room, but it was particularly poignant for those in attendance who have lived with the constraints of a system that too often limits opportunity.

While the 2022 FIFA World Cup brought a wave of opportunity and infrastructure development to Qatar, many Bangladeshi workers now find themselves navigating an economy that is increasingly prioritising high-skilled service industries. For those who arrived with expertise in construction and manual labour, pathways to career mobility remain limited. The transition towards a more knowledge- and service-based economy has not been matched with inclusive upskilling or retraining efforts, leaving many migrant workers in uncertain and precarious employment conditions.

To grasp the layered and often invisible struggles shaping the lives of Bangladeshi migrant workers in Qatar, I sat down with Amin Rasul, secretary of the Bangladesh Community Qatar (BCQ) and a senior engineer at Qatar Electricity and Water Company. Rasul, who has worked closely with Qatar's Ministry of Labor and international organisations such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), provided valuable insights into the complexities of the situation.

"The issue of managing such a large workforce is a multifaceted one," Rasul explained. "But at its core, it stems from the way recruitment operates. Many workers fall prey to unethical recruitment practices, where agents promise jobs and charge exorbitant fees. Once they arrive in Qatar, they often find themselves either jobless, in unsuitable roles, or trapped in conditions where employers control their bank cards and access to wages. Legally, systems may appear compliant, but exploitation continues through informal practices."

While recent reforms in Qatar, such as the 90-day grace period allowing workers to seek new employment after termination, have shown a commitment to improving labour conditions, the challenge remains one of awareness. "There is a hotline," Rasul noted, "but most workers are unaware of its existence. They are often victims of exploitation before they even have the opportunity to act."

Beyond legal reforms, there is also a pressing need for better access to education and skills development for the migrant workforce. Many Bangladeshi workers, even those in skilled professions such as engineering or healthcare, arrive in the Gulf with limited proficiency in the region's languages—Arabic and English. The result is a mismatch between the skills of the workers and the demands of the labour market. Opportunities in service sectors like hospitality remain limited for Bangladeshis, especially compared to other Asian diaspora communities such as the Indian, Pakistani, Nepali, and Filipino populations who are more integrated due to stronger language and communication competencies, said Zillur Rahman Biswas, a Bangladeshi educationist examining diaspora education in the Gulf. The reasons why other nations' diaspora schools have more institutional backing stems from many factors, including "larger and more affluent expatriate populations with longer establishments in the Gulf and a robust investor base," said Biswas.

"There is overwhelming demand for quality education among Bangladeshi families in Qatar," he shared. "We lack the space, trained staff, and institutional backing that schools of the Indian or Pakistani communities enjoy. This has long-term implications—not just for educational equity, but for the ability of our youth to compete in a global labour market."

During a visit to Qatar's Bangladeshi diaspora schools, which now serves around 1,800 students, I spoke with educators who highlighted the challenges they face. Overwhelmed by demand, the school had to introduce a second shift to accommodate the increasing number of students. Tuition fees remain low, ranging from QAR 350 to QAR 550 per month depending on grade level. Yet, despite the affordability, the school struggles with limited facilities, teacher training and resources. In stark contrast, other Asian diaspora communities have schools with greater investment, better infrastructure, and broader institutional recognition.

Bangladeshi community representatives consistently express the need for better schooling options that are both affordable and internationally aligned, to ensure that students are prepared for a changing and competitive job market.

Qatar is one of the top 10 remittance source countries for Bangladesh. According to remittance landscape and trajectory, remittance from Qatar amounted to $1.5 billion in FY2024. The scope for expanding the remittance portfolio in Qatar remains high, but the issue of skills development for Bangladesh's migrant workers continues to pose barriers. But this issue goes beyond the immediate needs of those living in the Gulf—it is tied directly to Bangladesh's larger aspirations on the global stage. As Bangladesh seeks to position itself as a manufacturing powerhouse—what some are calling the "factory of the world"—the need for a workforce that is both skilled and adaptable is more urgent than ever. Without a strategic investment in education, training, and language acquisition, Bangladesh risks falling behind in an increasingly competitive global market.

Dr Yunus' visit to Doha also marked a significant step forward in Qatar-Bangladesh relations. During his discussions with the Qatari government, issues such as workforce planning and the repayment of accumulated gas bills were on the table. These high-level engagements demonstrate a mutual commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, not just in economic terms but in ways that respect and invest in the people who form the backbone of both nations' growth.

Ultimately, the success of Bangladesh's diaspora depends on empowering its youth to not merely survive but to excel. The world of work is rapidly evolving, and the opportunities available to young Bangladeshis in the Gulf, or anywhere else, will be shaped by how well they are prepared to engage with a dynamic, complex global economy.

Sarzah Yeasmin is a policy analyst working on the intersections of education and development economics. She is an alumna of Harvard University.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh to get highest priority in sending workers to Malaysia

Malaysia is set to recruit up to 1.5 lakh foreign workers within months, with Bangladesh expected to receive the highest recruitment priority.

en.prothomalo.com

Bangladesh to get highest priority in sending workers to Malaysia
BSS Dhaka
Published: 15 May 2025, 19: 12

Asif Nazrul is with Malaysian human resource minister Steven Sim Chee Keong during his ongoing trip to the country. Courtesy

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has said Bangladesh will get the highest priority in sending workers to Malaysia soon.

"We have learned from different sources that Malaysia is going to recruit one lakh to 1.5 lakh foreign workers within the next couple of months. I have had talks with their Human Resources Minister (Steven Sim Chee Keong) and he assured us that Bangladesh will be given the highest priority in recruiting laborers. Maximum number of laborers will be recruited from Bangladesh, we have received this assurance," Dr Asif Nazrul, who is currently visiting Malaysia, said in a video post on his verified Facebook account.

The adviser, in the post, said he had official meetings with Malaysian Minister of Home Affairs and their Human Resources Minister. "I had informal discussions with their trade minister as well. There are some developments and that is what I am sharing with you all," he added.

Referring last year's visit of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to Bangladesh, Dr Asif Nazrul said the Malaysian premier is a personal friend of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and during that visit he had given assurance that he would give a chance to around 17,000 Bangladeshi workers, who failed to go to Malaysia by the 31 May, 2024 deadline.

"We have had many discussions based on this. They said that they would take those laborers on batch-wise and they have prepared a list of 7,926 workers in the first batch. They would give them opportunity to go and work there within a very short time and they (Malaysian administration) have already started the process," he added.

Dr Asif Nazrul also said he had requested the Malaysian Interior Minister to give Bangladeshi workers multiple entry visas.

"I had pointed out that though laborers from other countries get multiple entry visas in Malaysia, Bangladeshi laborers were not getting this. We talked for a while on this and he not only assured me, but also ordered his officials to take immediate action regarding this," the adviser said.

He further said he requested Malaysian officials to consider taking skilled workforce like security guards, caregivers and nurses from Bangladesh and they sounded positive in reply. He said the Malaysian officials have showed interest and the talks will continue in this regard.

"These all productive discussions were result of the personal friendship between our Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. We could do these thanks to his (Professor Muhammad Yunus) guidance, his personal directions. Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi also took part in the discussions and contributed a lot," he said.​

 

[Saif]

Malaysia labour market to reopen for Bangladeshis

Malaysia, a key destination for Bangladeshi workers in Southeast Asia, will reopen its door to Bangladeshi labour for the third time.

www.newagebd.net

Malaysia labour market to reopen for Bangladeshis
Staff Correspondent 17 May, 2025, 00:51

Malaysia, a key destination for Bangladeshi workers in Southeast Asia, will reopen its door to Bangladeshi labour for the third time.

After a year of closure, Malaysian authorities agreed to reopen its labour market to Bangladesh, with 7,926 workers from the country set to join the first phase of the new spell of migration in the coming months.

The development resulted from bilateral meetings between Bangladesh authorities and Malaysia’s minister of human resources and minister of home affairs in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

‘Malaysia has decided in principle to recruit a large number of Bangladeshi workers in the days to come,’ said youth and sports adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain on Friday.

Asif in a post on his verified Facebook account further said Malaysia has also assured Bangladesh of ensuring proper wages, security, and overall welfare for the workers who will go to that country.

Earlier on Thursday, expatriates welfare and overseas employment adviser Asif Nazrul said Malaysia is set to recruit up to 1,50,000 foreign workers in the coming months and Bangladesh will receive the highest priority in the recruitment.

He revealed the information in a video message on his verified Facebook account following the bilateral meetings with the Malaysian authorities.

Asif Nazrul reminded that Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, during a visit to Bangladesh in the past year, had promised to allow those workers, who could not enter Malaysia that year, to get to that country this year.

Based on that decision, many discussions have taken place and Malaysia has finalised a list of 7,926 Bangladeshi workers for the first batch, who will soon get the opportunity to work in Malaysia, he said.

He also said that Malaysia has requested that all recruiting agents in Bangladesh should be allowed to send workers while Bangladesh has requested the regularisation of those Bangladeshi workers who have become irregular in Malaysia.

Asif further said they also discussed other issues, such as recruiting security personnel, caregivers, and nurses from Bangladesh.

Over the past 16 years, Malaysia’s labour market was shut down thrice for Bangladeshis.

Every time the issue of contention emerged to be the involvement of syndicates in sending workers to that country. Various allegations of irregularities, corruption, and bribery surfaced against the syndicates.

The Malaysian labour market was first shut down for Bangladeshis in 2009 and it was reopened towards the end of 2016.

The labour market was closed down again in September 2018 on the grounds of corruption and irregularities and it was reopened once again in 2022.

The third time was in March, 2024 when Malaysia again announced that they would not take any more workers for the time being. Those who had the approval and visas would have to enter that country by May 31, 2024, Malaysia further decided.

Some 8,98,970 Bangladeshis are currently working in Malaysia, according to official estimates. This is the highest number of foreign workers in the Southeast Asian country after Indonesians and Nepalese.

Malaysia is the fourth-highest remittance-sending country to Bangladesh.

Ministry officials said about 13 lakh Bangladeshi workers went to Malaysia from 2004 to May 2024. Of them, the largest proportion of workers went in a single year was in 2023 — more than 3.5 lakh.

In the first two years — 2007 and 2008 — before the labour market was closed first time, about 4,00,000 workers went to the country.

Before its labour market was closed for the second time, some 3,00,000 workers migrated to Malaysia in the last two years — 2017 and 2018 — while about 5,00,000 workers went to the country from August 2022 to May 2024.​

 

[Saif]

Migrants in Malaysia: Worker faces deportation after speaking up

Nearly 200 workers then began a strike on Friday, he said, requesting not to be named for fear of backlash.

www.thedailystar.net

Migrants in Malaysia: Worker faces deportation after speaking up

A Malaysian company has revoked the work permit of a Bangladeshi migrant and threatened to do the same to 60 others on Thursday, a day after the workers talked to Expatriates' Welfare Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul about poor working conditions, several workers have said.

The management of Negeri Sembilan-based Mediceram, which manufactures rubber gloves, called the worker named Nahid Ibrahim and told him that his work permit would be revoked and he would be deported, they said.

During his three-day visit to Malaysia from May 13-16, he met the Mediceram workers and held meetings with three Malaysian ministers to discuss how the Southeast Asian country can reopen its labour market for Bangladeshis and address the problems facing the workers.

Amid reports of irregularities in overseas recruitment, Malaysia suspended hiring Bangladesh workers in May last year.

Requesting anonymity, a worker of the gloves factory said, "We were shocked when we heard that Nahid would be deported and protested. Then, the management said it has a list of 60 of us who would be deported."

Nearly 200 workers then began a strike on Friday, he said, requesting not to be named for fear of backlash.

In an email to Prof Asif's Private Secretary Sarwoer Alam, Nahid wrote, "The company followed me and heard what I said about labour issues with our adviser. All of a sudden, they called me to the office and said I would be deported."

The email was also sent to the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur.

Nahid went to Malaysia under a three-year contract and his visa expired in August this year. He spent more than Tk 5 lakh to reach the country and is still in debt because the company had not paid him regularly, according to the email.

"Please discuss with the company and stand by me and my family," Nahid wrote.

Nahid told The Daily Star yesterday that neither the adviser's PS nor the High Commission responded to the email.

According to a letter submitted to Prof Asif on May 14, the Bangladeshis workers gave between Tk 500,000 and Tk 600,000 to a recruiting agency named Greenland for jobs in Malaysia.

"Before our flights, they forced us to say on camera that we paid only Tk 78,000," reads the letter.

However, wages have been irregular for the last two years. In some months, the company pays only half or one-third of the salary, it said.

"Our families are now in deep financial crises. Our debts have doubled. In some months, we had to borrow more money from Bangladesh just to afford food here," it said.

Under such circumstances, they filed a complaint to the Labour Court late last year and then to the Bangladesh High Commission, but got no remedy.

They then contacted a migrant rights activist Andy Hall, who raised the issue with Mediceram and then got the labour issues audited by a third party.

At one point of time, Mediceram agreed to pay wages regularly and repay Malaysian Ringgit (RM) 22,500, which was spent as recruitment fees. It also paid RM 1,000 as an advance, assuring that another RM 875 would be paid on May 31, and the remaining amount would be paid in 12 months.

"But this payment plan is extremely difficult for us and poses a major challenge for our families," they said in the letter.

They have also requested the company to pay the full recruitment fee in a single installment.

Earlier, Mediceram had deported 35 workers to Bangladesh without any notice. Currently, the work permits of 170 have not been renewed. Some have been without a visa for a year, others for two years. A few months ago, four workers were arrested as they had no valid visas, but the company has not taken any responsibility, the letter says.

"We urge that our visas be renewed within next month and earnestly request you to resolve all these issues," the letter said.

Prof Asif met these migrants on the Mediceram company premises, advised them to solve any problem through discussion and not do anything that can be harmful for them or the company.

He also provided the email and phone number so that the migrants could directly contact him.

Adviser Asif and his PS Sarower could not be reached over phone for comments yesterday.

The Daily Star emailed Mediceram seeking comments on the allegations, but was yet to receive a reply as of last night.​