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[🇧🇩] Manpower Export: Prospects and Challenges.
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Job prospects, well-being of migrant workers

SYED FATTAHUL ALIM
Published :
Jun 02, 2025 00:21
Updated :
Jun 02, 2025 00:21

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The International Labour Organization (ILO)'s recently released World Employment and Social Outlook (WESO) report portrays a rather grim picture about the state of youth employment in Bangladesh. This is more so, as according to the outgoing country director of ILO, Bangladesh, who said, 'Global contraction of jobs is of grave concern, especially for Bangladesh which is undergoing political, economic, social and climatic transitions and sends over a million workers abroad'.

In this connection, going by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)'s recently published Quarterly Labour Force data, in the second quarter of fiscal FY25, Bangladesh's unemployment rose to 4.63 per cent. The reason is, it says, the number of people unable to get a job was growing. So, the prospect for Bangladeshi workers to get overseas jobs looks less promising seeing that the ILO in its global employment forecast for 2025 projected the creation of only 53 million jobs which is 7.0 million fewer than 60 million forecasted earlier. Against this backdrop of declining trend in overseas job prospects for Bangladeshi workers, according to a news report, Japan, a highly industrialized Asian country, is going to recruit 100,000 workers from Bangladesh in the next five years is undoubtedly heartwarming.

In this connection, two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs)are learnt to have been signed with Bangladesh's Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), a department under the Ministry of Manpower Development and Social Welfare. The organizations that signed the MoUs with BMET are Kaikom Dream Street (KDS) BD Co, Ltd.---a Japan-Bangladesh joint venture company. The second MoU, on the other hand, was signed between BMET and Japan's National Business Support Combined Cooperatives (NBCC), a Japanese federation representing some 65 companies and the Japan Bangla Bridge Recruiting Agency (JBBRA). Obviously, the private initiatives are recogised both by the governments of Japan and Bangladesh regarding Bangladeshi workers' recruitment in Japan. The importance of these events lies in the fact that unlike in the case of Western job markets, Bangladeshi job-seekers are not unwelcome due to restrictive immigration policy. Neither are they (Bangladeshi workers) endangering their lives at the hands of the illicit human traffickers.

The findings of a survey held some months back in Japan reveal that 57 per cent of the 3,500 companies which were interviewed, admitted that they hired foreign workers as they (Japanese companies) believed foreign workers could perform equally or even better than Japanese workers. In fact, this is a big shift in Japanese employers' mindset since in the past, the foreign workers who arrived in Japan on 'technical interim' visas got low-paid jobs. But the attitude has changed for the better over the years, thanks to Japan's declining population. The Japanese population including foreign nationals fell by 550,000 to 123.8 million in 2024. This marked the straight 14th year of decline in that country's population. In 2022, for instance, Japan's working age population (between 15 and 64 years of age) shrank by 296,000 to 74.2 million.

It is further projected that by 2060, the working age population would further decline to 47.95 million in Japan. Similarly, the labour force is projected to contract by 24 per cent or 16.1 million by 2050. Such a demographic regression in an advanced industrial nation is only expected. All industrially advanced nations are facing similar demographic crises. But when in Europe and North America, some politicians are whipping up anti-immigrant prejudice and obstructing entry of foreign workers, Japan has adopted the policy of welcoming them. However, unlike the job markets in the Gulf Arab states where most of Bangladesh's unskilled labour force has been traditionally destined, the Japanese labour market has practically no place for unskilled, or semi-skilled workers. Another barrier is the language. But the good news is that the Japanese companies willing to take Bangladeshi workers have come forward in this regard. The KDS that signed a MoU with BMET, for instance, will set up a specialised training cell at the Monohardi Technical Training Centre (MTTC). This facility will be under the Japan's Technical Training Program (TTIP) and Specified Skilled Workers (SSO) Initiative and operate by the name of Dream Street Business Training Center (DSBTC). The other MoU signed with NBCC and JBBRA, as noted in the foregoing, on a model training centre, styled, Bhalo Chakri Training Centre, will be set up under the TTIP and SSWO programmes. What is very interesting to note in this connection is that that different representatives of the Japanese industrial groups including the chairman of NBCC, Mikio Kasagayama, and the director of the Shizuoka Workplace Development Cooperative, Mitsuru Matsuhita, have openly expressed their choice about the skilled, young workers from Bangladesh.

This is a clear message from the Japanese corporate world that Japan, unlike other rich nations, industrialised or otherwise, will not be an apathetic or even hostile workplace for Bangladeshi workers. Given its aging population, the country is going to import an increasing number of foreign workers in the coming days. In that case, the government should expand the skills training facilities and Japanese language courses. Being a labour-surplus nation, Bangladesh should make the most of this opportunity.

While celebrating the widening prospects for job opportunities for our workers in Japan or any other overseas destinations, the government should not lose sight of the fact that the Bangladeshi expatriate workers are not mere hard currency earning machines. Their and their families' well-being should also be of equal concern, especially for the Bangladeshi diplomatic missions in the host countries. A recent report by the Refugee and Migratory Movement Research Unit (RMMRU), an organization working for better governance and services in the migration sector, came up with some shocking statistics about the deaths of expatriate workers abroad. It says, 31 per cent of these migrant workers die unnatural deaths in their host countries. Of these deaths, 16 per cent reportedly die in accidents, while 15 per cent commit suicide. But some 48 per cent of the families and relatives of the dead migrant workers have no faith in the death certificates issued by the authorities concerned of the host countries. Analysing the RMMRU report, a discussion event on the issue last week in the city, pointed out that the average age of the accident and suicide victims is 37 years. In some cases, the deaths are caused under dubious circumstances. No further post-mortem examinations are done in Bangladesh after the dead migrant workers' arrive in Bangladesh, though some corpses show marks of injury. Since challenging death certificates of the victim workers issued by the host government might be a sensitive issue, the World Health Organization (WHO)'s involvement and its guidance need to be ensured in this case.

In sum, of all the concerns often expressed about the expatriate workers and their status, the ones about their personal well-being should take centre stage.​
 

Will migrant workers’ dreams remain unfulfilled?

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To ensure migrants’ dreams are realised, we need effective policies and a humane state response. File photo: STAR

The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR) is observed on June 16, a commemoration initiated in 2015 with support from the United Nations' International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). This year's global theme is "Remittances Financing Development." The day honours the sacrifices of migrant workers worldwide and their vital contributions to family and national economies through remittances.

The concept of remittances is not new. Migrant labourers sending money home dates back to colonial times. Today's formal systems are a modern continuation of that.

For developing countries like Bangladesh, remittances are a key economic pillar. But a pressing question remains: are the dreams and sacrifices of those behind the remittances truly acknowledged? Or are they simply meeting the needs of others while leaving their own aspirations unfulfilled?

Worldwide, over 280 million people currently live and work abroad for better job opportunities. The money they send home plays a significant role in global development. According to the World Bank, remittances to developing countries totalled around $650 billion in 2024. More than half of this amount—about $322 billion—was sent to just five countries. India led with $129 billion, followed by Mexico ($68 billion), China ($48 billion), the Philippines ($40 billion), and Pakistan ($33 billion).

In smaller economies, remittances form a large share of GDP—45 percent in Tajikistan, 38 percent in Tonga, and over 25 percent in countries like Lebanon, Nicaragua, and Samoa—helping to offset fiscal deficits and economic instability.

Since its independence, Bangladesh has pursued foreign employment, especially in the Middle East. Formal labour migration began in 1976, and remittances have since been a major source of foreign income. By the 1980s and 1990s, labour markets expanded to Southeast Asia and beyond. As overseas employment grew, remittance channels became more secure, aided by policy support and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.

Technological advancements in the 2000s, especially mobile banking, made sending money faster and safer. This helped solidify remittances as an economic mainstay.

According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), more than 15 million Bangladeshis have gone abroad on work visas over the last 50 years. Their remittances have boosted the country's foreign currency reserves and revitalised rural areas.

In the first five months of 2025 alone, Bangladeshi expatriates sent home over $13 billion, which made the country the sixth highest remittance recipient globally.

Remittances are Bangladesh's second largest source of foreign currency after exports. But their impact goes far beyond balance sheets: families of remittance senders experience better living standards and reduced poverty, and more spending on schools and medical care boosts human development. Remittance income supports micro-enterprises and job creation. These inflows strengthen national economic resilience. Ultimately, remittances help ensure food security, improve access to services, reduce inequality, and promote women's empowerment.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis move to the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe and beyond, seeking better lives and livelihood opportunities. Their aim is simple: financial stability and a better future for their families. But the path is often painful. Many take loans or sell land to pay brokers, entering a cycle of debt even before departure. After arrival, they often face contract violations, wage delays, poor living conditions, and isolation. The work is gruelling and hours are long, but they endure for their families.

Sending money home isn't always easy. Despite progress, many still rely on informal channels like hundi, risking their hard-earned money and costing the nation valuable foreign currency. Access to secure digital services remains limited in some areas.

These workers dream modestly: a home and education for their children. Yet, many return home empty-handed, without reintegration support, job prospects or recognition.

To ensure migrants' dreams are realised, we need effective policies and a humane state response. Key steps include: ensuring safe, accessible remittance channels; providing training, legal aid, and information before departure to reduce exploitation; protecting migrant families; supporting reintegration by offering returnees skill training, microcredit, and employment pathways; strengthening diplomatic support by making embassies more responsive and compassionate towards migrant needs; and expanding incentives.

Remittances aren't just transactions. They are a child's tuition, a mother's medicine, a family's sustenance. Migrant workers send more than money. They send love, courage, and untold stories of struggle. They deserve more than symbolic recognition. They deserve lasting commitment. Only then will their sacrifices result in fulfilled dreams.

M M Mahbub Hasan is a banker and development researcher.​
 

Bangladesh’s overseas labour market faces major setbacks

Mohiuddin Dhaka
Published: 24 Jun 2025, 12: 12

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Migrant labourers working on a construction site in Qatar. AFP File Photo

Saudi Arabia has long been the top destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers. Historically, 34 per cent of all workers going abroad have chosen the Middle Eastern country. In the first five months of this year alone, 73 per cent of Bangladeshi overseas workers went to Saudi Arabia. However, this once-reliable labour market is now shrinking.

The situation is even more dire in other major destinations. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bangladesh’s second-largest labour market, is currently closed. Oman, the third-largest, has remained closed since last year. Malaysia’s labour market shut down in June last year, though bilateral discussions are ongoing to reopen it soon. Meanwhile, the potential to send workers to Japan and South Korea remains largely untapped, and the opportunity to enter European labour markets is also being underutilised.

People involved in the migration sector say that Bangladesh’s overdependence on a few select countries is the main reason for the stagnation. They note that the demand in Saudi Arabia, driven by its infrastructure expansion ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, has already begun to decline. This June, Saudi Arabia suspended visa issuance, and while a new announcement is expected in July, the uncertainty remains. Without opening alternative labour markets, the outflow of Bangladeshi workers is likely to fall further.

According to data from the Bangladesh Manpower, Employment and Training Bureau (BMET), more than 1.1 million workers went abroad in 2022. The number increased to 1.3 million in 2023. However, in 2024, it dropped by 300,000 to just over 1 million.

In the first five months of this year, 420,000 workers went abroad—300,000 of them to Saudi Arabia. Qatar was the next largest destination, taking in 40,000 workers, followed by Singapore, which accepted over 26,000.

Stakeholders in the sector note that most workers heading to Saudi Arabia secure recruitment through personal connections or relatives. This has led to the rise of a broker class, some of whom forge fake recruitment letters. As a result, some workers arrive in Saudi Arabia only to find no employment, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. If this flow is reduced or halted, such cases may decrease.

Ali Haider Chowdhury, former secretary general of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), told Prothom Alo that Saudi visas have been suspended for the past month and new demand has also declined. “We must wait to see what kind of announcement Saudi Arabia makes in July. They may introduce stricter screening procedures for recruitment. It is therefore essential to develop alternative labour markets,” he said.

Female workers also declining

The situation is particularly challenging for female workers, whose primary destination is the Middle East, especially Saudi Arabia, where most are employed as domestic workers. Many return home after experiencing abuse, torture, or sexual harassment. These conditions are causing a significant decline in women’s interest in overseas employment.

BMET figures show that 105,466 female workers went abroad in 2022. In 2023, this dropped to 76,108—a 28 per cent decrease. The decline continued last year, with the number falling to 61,158, a further drop of 20 per cent. In the first five months of this year, only 24,617 women went abroad. Among them, 17,786 went to Saudi Arabia, while 4,500 went to Jordan.

Although overall overseas employment has increased in recent years, the share of female workers has steadily declined. From 2022 to 2024, over 3.4 million workers went abroad, yet the number of female workers fell by 250,000. In contrast, between 2015 and 2019, more than 100,000 female workers went abroad each year. The number dropped in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but rebounded in the following two years—only to decline again in the last two.

Sumaiya Islam, Executive Director of the Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra (BNSK), told Prothom Alo, “The necessary support system for women workers in the Middle East has not been ensured. Moreover, the income is not proportionate to the workload, especially for domestic work in Saudi Arabia. There are numerous complaints. As a result, women's interest is decreasing. Additionally, Middle Eastern countries are now hiring workers from African nations as alternatives.”

Urgent need to diversify

Experts believe that overreliance on a handful of countries is the root cause of Bangladesh’s vulnerability in the global labour market. They point out that whenever a country opens its market, Bangladeshi workers enter in large numbers. But when issues arise, the market closes, and another destination is sought. This cycle has confined Bangladesh’s migrant labour force to a few destinations.

Shakirul Islam, chairperson of the grassroots migrant rights organization OKUP (Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme), described the current situation as deeply disappointing. He noted that the allocation for the sector has been reduced in the proposed national budget, and that prospects for expanding employment abroad appear slim.

“There has been no notable progress in opening up new labour markets,” he said. “Even in countries where there is potential, we are failing to capitalise on the opportunities.”​
 

Easing travails of overseas job-seekers

Published :
Jul 01, 2025 23:23
Updated :
Jul 01, 2025 23:23

The surge, as reported, in the remittance inflow from Bangladesh's expatriate workers in the last fiscal year (20024-25) that has broken all past records could not have come at a better time. In fact, the total amount of remittance over the entire period of FY'25 that crossed US$31 billion marking an increase by 25.50 per cent compared to that of the previous fiscal (FY24) at US$23.74 billion speaks volumes for the confidence that the hard working remittance earners have in the government that replaced the autocratic regime of the past through the July-August, 2024 popular uprising. There is no denying that the stringent measures that the incumbent interim government adopted to curb illegal informal channels including the so-called 'hundi' of money transfer as well as introduction of a more market-oriented exchange rate regime have played a positive role in achieving this positive outcome. Admittedly, the financial incentives offered to encourage the expatriate workers to send their remittance through official channels did play their part in the rise of the volume of remittance inflow.

This is obviously an occasion to celebrate as the hard-earned remittance money will go to bolster the country's foreign exchange reserves and contribute to maintaining macroeconomic stability and managing external debt. It is not only the government's hard currency hungry foreign currency account that the enhanced remittance earning will serve, the money will also improve financial conditions of the recipient families. But as the boost in remittance inflow is not simply a matter of government policies or the mere goodwill of the migrant workers, the present level of remittance inflow cannot be taken for granted. Numerous factors including the policies of the host governments on migrant workers, bilateral relations between governments -- the host government and migrant workers' country of origin, international politics, behaviour of the global foreign exchange market at a given time etc.; determine the rate of remittance.

So, it would be wise to shift the attention to other important issues that the policymakers have always given short shrift to. Even as the remittance earners as a community in general are showered with words of praise from the government, the Press and the intellectual class for the yeoman service they have been rendering to the nation, the total outlook changes as soon as they are faced with an individual remittance earner. A not-so-impressive-looking migrant worker, often having her/his origin in the countryside, obviously fail to claim the attention they deserve from the smart, educated, and mostly urbane officials of the foreign missions or those at home.

An immediate outcome of this indifferent attitude of the foreign mission officials towards the migrant workers from their home country is that the officials of the host government or the private sector employers of that country, too, find no reason to be kind to those migrant workers in question. To break this vicious circle of apathy and neglect towards the hapless migrant workers, the government at home needs to play a very proactive, attentive and protective role. On this score, the government should learn from how aggressively other manpower exporting countries deal with the host governments when it comes to the cause of their nationals abroad. The government, at the same time, should pay attention to easing the travails the overseas job-seekers undergo at every step of their journey abroad. High amounts they are charged by the recruiting agencies, the agents of overseas employers, as part of various documentation fees, must be reduced to the bare minimum. To start with, the government should initiate a hassle-free one-stop service for overseas job-seekers.​
 

Malaysia may recruit up to 40k workers next year
Says Asif Nazrul

Malaysia is expected to recruit a maximum of 30,000 to 40,000 workers from Bangladesh over the next year, said Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.

He made the remark yesterday at a seminar titled "Japan's Labour Market: Opportunities and Challenges", organised by the ministry at the International Mother Language Institute in Dhaka.

"There is a lot of hype that Malaysia will take 1 to 1.2 million workers from Bangladesh. I've just returned from there. In reality, Malaysia will take no more than 30,000 to 40,000 workers over the next year," said Nazrul.

"The previous government had signed an agreement with Malaysia under which they agreed to provide a list of recruiting agencies, and Malaysia would select from them. This is a formal agreement between the two parties -- what we call a 'syndicate'. Now that we've taken over, everyone is saying the syndicate system must be abolished," said the adviser.

"But to do that, we need to amend the agreement. We can't force Malaysia to change it. If they refuse, we have two options: follow their terms and send workers through 25, 50, or 100 agencies, or stop sending workers altogether," he said.

"If I send workers through the existing syndicate, I'll be accused of being a part of it. But if I don't send anyone, 40,000 workers will miss out, and Malaysia will remember that. This could affect up to two lakh families in the long run," he added.

JAPAN LABOUR MARKET

Speaking about Japan, the adviser said there is a strong demand for workers, but Bangladesh currently lacks the skilled workforce to meet that demand.

"We have unskilled workers, many of whom are learning Japanese, but they are not yet fully prepared. The solution is to upskill them according to Japan's needs," he said.

"We have established a 'Japan Cell' with plans for a dedicated website," he added.

"In the case of Japan, we are removing all intermediary processes on our end. We are also considering public-private partnerships to train workers," said Nazrul.

"We're asking Japanese entrepreneurs to take over our Technical Training Centers (TTCs) -- bring their experts and train our workers. We're ready to hand over entire TTCs. We've already handed over the Manohardi TTC to be redesigned according to their requirements," he said, adding that another model involves working with different non-government organisations.

FAKE DOCUMENTS CAUSING VISA ISSUES

At the event, Lutfor Siddique, chief adviser's special envoy on international affairs, said fake certificates and bank statements are a major reason behind visa complications for Bangladeshi migrants.

"Many of our workers think going abroad is the only goal, even if it means using fake documents and lacking proper skills. This mindset is creating visa issues in many countries," he said.

"Getting a visa appointment for Japan is now extremely difficult, largely due to the submission of forged certificates and fake bank statements. There must be legal consequences for such actions," Siddique added.​
 

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