[🇧🇩] Manpower Export: Prospects and Challenges.

[Saif]

Bangladesh’s migration crisis

FOR decades, Bangladesh’s economy has been fuelled by remittances sent by millions of its migrant workers. These men and women, mostly employed in low-wage sectors in the Gulf states and Malaysia, work tirelessly in construction, domestic service, and factories, sending home billions of dollars...

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh’s migration crisis
Sohana Samrin Chowdhury 28 February, 2025, 00:00

FOR decades, Bangladesh’s economy has been fuelled by remittances sent by millions of its migrant workers. These men and women, mostly employed in low-wage sectors in the Gulf states and Malaysia, work tirelessly in construction, domestic service, and factories, sending home billions of dollars each year. In 2024, Bangladesh received almost $27 billion in remittances, a crucial pillar of the nation’s economic stability.

Yet, beneath these figures lies a deeper issue: Bangladesh is exporting labour, not talent. While countries like India and the Philippines are sending skilled professionals abroad, Bangladesh continues to supply cheap labour, leaving its workforce vulnerable to low wages, poor working conditions, and economic instability. This outdated model must change.

As the world transitions towards a knowledge-driven economy, Bangladesh must rethink its migration strategy. Instead of exporting workers with limited skills and earning potential, it must equip its people with the expertise to secure high-value jobs in developed economies. Countries like the United Kingdom and Canada have successfully implemented data-driven, skills-based migration policies. Without decisive action, Bangladesh risks being left behind in the evolving global labour market.

Strategic migration models

The UK: a data-driven immigration system

The United Kingdom has implemented a skills-based immigration system that aligns migration with economic needs. The Migration Advisory Committee, an independent body, continuously updates the Shortage Occupation List using real-time employer surveys, big data analysis, and economic forecasting. This ensures that migrants entering the UK fill genuine skill gaps rather than contributing to an oversupply of labour.

For instance, when the UK faced a shortage of healthcare professionals, it fast-tracked visas for foreign nurses and care workers. This evidence-based approach guarantees that migration directly supports economic growth while providing stable career pathways for skilled workers.

Canada: a future-proof migration policy

Canada, facing an ageing population and workforce shortages in key industries, has developed one of the most sophisticated skills-based migration systems globally. The Canadian Occupational Projection System forecasts labour demand over the next two decades, enabling policymakers to adjust immigration policies accordingly.

Through its Express Entry system, Canada prioritises highly skilled professionals, particularly in STEM fields, healthcare, and skilled trades. In 2023, recognising shortages in construction, Canada actively recruited foreign electricians, welders, and engineers. A well-trained Bangladeshi professional with the right certification could qualify for permanent residency and a high-paying job in Canada, a stark contrast to the limited opportunities available in the Gulf.

Bangladesh’s current migration model: a race to the bottom

BANGLADESH continues to prioritise quantity over quality in its migration strategy. Instead of developing and exporting high-value professionals, the country remains a primary source of cheap labour. The consequences are severe:

73% of Bangladeshi migrants work in low-skilled jobs.

Only 17% hold skilled positions.

A mere 0.33% enter high-paying professions.

Consider Abdur Rahman, a 27-year-old from Cumilla, who borrowed Tk 5 lakh to pay a recruitment agent for a job in Dubai. He was promised work as a machine operator but, upon arrival, found himself in manual labour for half the expected salary. Lacking certification or leverage, he endured years of exploitation before returning home with little savings and no new skills.

Contrast this with Arvind, a 29-year-old Indian IT professional, who applied for Canada’s Express Entry program, secured a job at a top software firm in Toronto, and now earns a six-figure salary. While Abdur Rahman struggles, Arvind thrives. This disparity underscores why Bangladesh must transition from exporting labour to exporting skills.

A roadmap for a skills-based migration model

FOR Bangladesh to transition towards a high-skilled migration strategy, it must take some decisive steps:

Invest in data-driven workforce planning

Bangladesh must establish a Bangladesh Occupational Projection System, modelled after Canada’s COPS, to accurately predict labour market demands. Integrating real-time job market analytics from GCC countries, Malaysia, and Europe will help ensure that training programs align with global workforce needs. A Migration Intelligence Unit within BMET should be set up to analyse workforce trends and shape future policies.

Prioritise skills-based migration pathways

A points-based visa system, similar to the UK’s model, must be introduced to prioritise professionals in high-demand fields. Expanding recognition of prior learning programs would allow workers to obtain internationally recognised certifications before migration, increasing their employability and earning potential. Additionally, government-backed recruitment agencies should replace unregulated middlemen to ensure ethical migration practices.

Strengthen public-private partnerships in workforce training

Bangladesh must forge industry partnerships to align education with employer needs. A National Talent Mobility Council, composed of government officials, training institutes, and corporate leaders, should oversee a structured, demand-driven training framework. Encouraging collaboration between universities and employers can bridge the skills gap and foster a more competitive workforce.

Leverage technology for transparent and efficient migration

A Bangladesh Skills Portal, modeled after Canada’s Job Bank, could centralize job postings, certification programs, and digital labor contracts. This platform would facilitate connections between skilled workers and global employers, ensuring transparency in recruitment processes.

Shift from remittance dependency to a talent export strategy

Bangladesh must move beyond its current remittance-dependent model by focusing on equipping its workforce with high-value skills. Engaging the Bangladeshi diaspora through mentorship programs and skills transfer initiatives could enhance knowledge exchange and professional networking, positioning Bangladesh as a leader in global labour mobility.

The moment for change is now

Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. It can either continue exporting cheap labour, exposing its workforce to exploitation and economic stagnation, or pivot toward a skills-based migration model that prioritises long-term national prosperity. The strategies adopted by the UK and Canada provide a roadmap for this transformation.

By integrating skills intelligence, strategic workforce planning, and targeted migration policies, Bangladesh can empower its workforce and secure a competitive position in the global labour market.

Migration should not be merely about movement — it must be about mobility, opportunity, and economic empowerment.

The question remains: Will Bangladesh take the leap?

Sohana Samrin Chowdhury has worked with the International Labour Organization, UNDP and WFP, focusing on skills development, labour migration, and workplace safety policy.​

 

[Saif]

Female labour migration from Bangladesh continues to drop

Female migration from Bangladesh to other countries continued to decrease significantly mainly due to the lack of workers’ language barriers, skills and safety issues...

www.newagebd.net

Female labour migration from Bangladesh continues to drop
Rashad Ahamad 05 March, 2025, 23:19

Representational image. | New Age file photo

Female migration from Bangladesh to other countries continued to decrease significantly mainly due to the lack of workers’ language barriers, skills and safety issues.

Female migration continued to decline gradually for the past three years but the total number of labour migrants – both male and female – from Bangladesh increased during the period, said the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training statistics.

According to the BMET, female workers’ migration from Bangladesh has declined by 42 per cent in the past two years. Of them, 20 per cent declined in 2024 in comparison with the number in 2023 and 28 per cent in 2023 in comparison with the number in 2022.

The government data showed that 105,466 women migrated from Bangladesh in 2022. The number decreased to 76,108 in 2023 and it dropped further to 61,158 in 2024.

The sector insiders said that the migration of Bangladeshi female workers dropped as they failed to compete with the workers from alternative sources like the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, African countries, and Nepal in terms of working skills for their poor knowledge of languages in the destination countries.

Though the number of female migrants from Bangladesh declined significantly over the years, there was no fact-finding research in this regard.

The recruiting agents, however, said that they had lost interest in sending female workers abroad because of high migration costs and rights activists’ allegations of an increasing number of rights violations.

Bangladeshi women mostly migrate as domestic workers and garment sector workers while some migrate as cleaners, tailors, housekeepers, labours, caregivers, and staff of healthcare and other sectors.

The research and policy wing joint secretary for the expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment, Ayesha Haq, admitted that the ministry did not have information about the reasons for the declining number of female migrants.

Bangladeshi Ovibashi Mahila Sromik Association general secretary Sheikh Rumana said that the government had failed to control the migration cost over the past couple of years.

‘Many women lost interest in migrating from Bangladesh since the migration cost was high. Families want to invest for boys rather than girls,’ she said.

She also said that political instability in Bangladesh and other countries also impacted negatively on female labour migration.

Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra executive director Sumaiya Islam said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the top destination for Bangladeshi women over the years but the country was now hiring female workers from African countries like South Africa and Sudan.

KSA is the top employer of Bangladeshi female workers which employed 5,24,788 female workers since 2004. In percentage, the country alone employed 45 per cent of the total migrated female workers from Bangladesh during the period.

At least 11,62,791 women migrated from Bangladesh to around 90 countries in 20 years between 2004 and 2024. The total number of labour migrants from Bangladesh – both male and female – during the period was 1,25,24,298.

Of them, five countries—Lebanon, KSA, Jordan, UAE and Oman— hired over one lakh female workers each.

Migration experts said that Bangladesh saw a boom in female migration in 2017 when the highest 1,21,925 women migrated from Bangladesh. Since then, it was above one lakh until Covid-19 outbreak in 2019.

Rights activists observed that the number of aspirant female migrants was still high but they were not skilled. They suggested the government to review the training module to make it more effective.

Presently, every female worker must have two months of training to secure any overseas job.

Over the past years, a number of destination countries including Oman, Bahrain and Mauritius have suspended hiring workers from Bangladesh while Lebanon and KSA have reduced hiring Bangladeshi female workers significantly.

The BMET additional director general for employment, Mohammad Abdul Hi, said that though they had no research on this, his personal observation was that they could not open new markets.

He said that they were working to ensure skilled training based on global demand.

Labour rights activists urged the authorities to provide training on need-based skills and safety for women in destination countries to boost female migration.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh, Singapore seek transparent, cost-effective worker migration

Welfare of migrant workers a priority of govt, says Lutfey Siddiqi

www.thedailystar.net

Bangladesh, Singapore seek transparent, cost-effective worker migration
Welfare of migrant workers a priority of govt, says Lutfey Siddiqi

Bangladesh and Singapore today discussed ways in which the two countries could work together to further improve the end-to-end journey of prospective workers, help reduce costs, and enhance transparency.

Chief Adviser's Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi made a courtesy call on Singapore Minister of Manpower Dr Tan See Leng at the latter's office in Singapore and discussed the issues.

Siddiqi expressed gratitude for the professional approach to care that Singapore took towards migrant workers, as exemplified in the provision of healthcare.

Tan in turn expressed appreciation for migrant workers, including Bangladeshis in the construction sector, for their significant contributions to Singapore.

Siddiqi updated Tan, who is also Singapore's second minister for trade and industry, on the progress in the free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between the two countries.

He expressed the hope that this would lead to a wider set of skills and sectors in which Bangladeshi talent can contribute.

Earlier, Siddiqi inaugurated a new online attestation service for IPAs at the Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore.

IPAs, or In-Principle Approvals, are preliminary work permits issued by the Singapore government.

As part of the recruitment process, Bangladesh requires that IPAs be seen and approved by a competent officer at the Bangladesh mission.

Prospective employers and their agents have long complained about the administrative burden of physically visiting the Bangladesh mission for this part of the process. With the introduction of the new online solution, this process can be completed entirely online.

Siddiqi, in a meeting with some representatives of Bangladeshi workers in Singapore, committed to addressing their grievances, said the chief adviser's press wing.

Subsequently, an inter-ministerial group, including the Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Singapore, ensured that the online solution, which was stalled for a few years, was delivered within a few weeks.

"Both the Chief Adviser Professor Yunus and Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul have identified the welfare of migrant workers as a key priority of this government," said the special envoy.

"We are working to improve the airport experience and passport service, monitor airfares, and generally act more responsively to their concerns. While there is a lot more work that needs to be done, it is encouraging to see some positive results," Lutfey Siddiqi said.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

We need to protect our migrant workers before it's too late

View attachment 13595
Photo: Pexels/Anjan Karki

The plight of Bangladeshi migrant workers remains marred with hardship, exploitation, and tragedy, as reflected in the record-breaking 4,813 dead bodies repatriated in 2024. Behind this staggering number lies a grim reality: young lives extinguished far too soon, leaving behind grieving families and communities. These deaths are not isolated incidents but part of a broader narrative of systemic neglect and exploitation that continues to plague the lives of these labourers.

For decades, Bangladeshi workers have been the backbone of labour markets across the Gulf and Southeast Asia, often enduring grueling conditions with little to no support. They live in substandard accommodations, face unsafe workplaces, and remain under relentless pressure to recoup the exorbitant costs they incurred to migrate. This pressure drives many to work excessive hours, often at the expense of their health and well-being. As a result, heart attacks, strokes, and other stress-related ailments are commonly cited as causes of death in official records. However, these death certificates rarely tell the full story.\

An in-depth look into their lives reveals the physical and mental toll of their circumstances. Long hours under harsh conditions, combined with poor nutrition and limited access to healthcare, create a perfect storm of vulnerability. Many of these workers also face abusive treatment, psychosocial stress, and chronic health risks like hypertension and kidney disease, as highlighted in the 2022 report by the Vital Signs Partnership. Yet, the causes of these deaths remain "effectively unexplained," buried under layers of bureaucratic indifference and systemic failure.

Adding to their woes is the exploitation they endure at the hands of recruitment agencies and middlemen. Many workers are cheated and abandoned, left to navigate foreign lands without the promised support or resources. They invest their life savings, often by selling assets or taking out loans, only to find themselves trapped in cycles of debt and exploitation. In such a dire situation, their untimely deaths are not just a personal loss but a devastating blow to their families, who depend on their remittances for survival.

Addressing this crisis requires urgent and coordinated action from multiple stakeholders. The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must work together to establish robust monitoring mechanisms for migrant workers. This includes ensuring workplace safety, improving accommodation standards, and providing regular health check-ups. A proactive approach could save countless lives by identifying and addressing risks before they escalate.

Bangladeshi missions abroad also have a critical role to play. They must act as advocates for the rights and welfare of migrant workers, ensuring that their grievances are heard and addressed. This involves collaborating with host countries to enforce labour laws and holding employers accountable for mistreatment or unsafe conditions. Missions should also offer support services, including counseling and legal assistance, to help workers navigate challenges in unfamiliar environments.

Furthermore, there needs to be greater investment in pre-departure training programmes that prepare workers for the realities of migration. These programmes should include health awareness campaigns, financial literacy training, and information on workers' rights. Such initiatives could empower migrants to better protect themselves and make informed decisions about their lives abroad.

As a nation, Bangladesh owes its migrant workers more than mere acknowledgment of their remittances. They are the unsung heroes of our economy, and their sacrifices deserve respect and protection. Behind every number in the repatriation statistics is a human story -- of dreams, resilience, and heartbreak. The government, civil society, and international community must come together to ensure that these stories no longer end in tragedy.

Hasan Meer is a journalist at The Daily Star​

Look bro., I want to give you a very sincere advice from the heart. Restrict Islamic radicalism and promote education. There is no way out.

 

[Bilal9]

Look bro., I want to give you a very sincere advice from the heart. Restrict Islamic radicalism and promote education. There is no way out.

Hindu Radicalism in India (and Muslim-hate) is the growing problem. Yet Muslims remain devout Indian patriots as ever. I'd say some of these Muslims (bless their innocent hearts) are deluded.

Adult Literacy (Swakkharik rate) is actually higher in Bangladesh than India. India's Cow-belt BIMARU states need it. We don't.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Hindu Radicalism in India (and Muslim-hate) is the growing problem. Yet Muslims remain devout Indian patriots as ever. I'd say some of these Muslims (bless their innocent hearts) are deluded.

View attachment 15254

Adult Literacy (Swakkharik rate) is actually higher in Bangladesh than India. India's Cow-belt BIMARU states need it. We don't.

View attachment 15253

Muslim hate is a global phenomenon. It has emerged as a reaction of what Muslims do everywhere including in Islamic and Muslim nations. Iran hangs over 250 per year. Majority of them are Sunni Muslims. Saudi beheads almost same number of people and a big part of them is Shia clerics. In Pakistan, all those who are involved in terrorist attack are Muslims. In India, all terrorist attacks are done by Muslims. In UK, majority of those who are involved in racial crime and rape of teen girls are Muslims. China rightly said that Islam is a mental disease. In Syria, Asad bombed all Sunni mosques. There are countless examples. After doing all this, you guys cry why people hate you.

 

[Bilal9]

Muslim hate is a global phenomenon. It has emerged as a reaction of what Muslims do everywhere including in Islamic and Muslim nations. Iran hangs over 250 per year. Majority of them are Sunni Muslims. Saudi beheads almost same number of people and a big part of them is Shia clerics. In Pakistan, all those who are involved in terrorist attack are Muslims. In India, all terrorist attacks are done by Muslims. In UK, majority of those who are involved in racial crime and rape of teen girls are Muslims. China rightly said that Islam is a mental disease. In Syria, Asad bombed all Sunni mosques. There are countless examples. After doing all this, you guys cry why people hate you.

Thank You for the Islam-hating propaganda in the holiest month of Islam, which is Ramadan.

As befits this month, I will avoid engaging you in return and hope that your Lords bestow upon you the divine patience and Rahma (benevolence) to see your fellow man as your equal and not hate on them, like all Hindutva people do.

Please do not associate the word "Muslim" with "Terrorists".

Terrorists are not Muslims. Period.

The second they decide to kill another human being (or even maim anyone), they are outside the ambit of Islam and cannot call themselves "Muslim" any longer.

Muslims Are Not Terrorists: A Factual Look at Terrorism and Islam

I am tired of having to repeatedly say that Muslims are not terrorists. It is time we silence this Islamophobia with facts.

www.huffpost.com

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Thank You for the Islam-hating propaganda in the holiest month of Islam, which is Ramadan.

As befits this month, I will avoid engaging you in return and hope that your Lords bestow upon you the divine patience and Rahma (benevolence) to see your fellow man as your equal and not hate on them, like all Hindutva people do.

Please do not associate the word "Muslim" with "Terrorists".

Terrorists are not Muslims. Period.

The second they decide to kill another human being (or even maim anyone), they are outside the ambit of Islam and cannot call themselves "Muslim" any longer.

Muslims Are Not Terrorists: A Factual Look at Terrorism and Islam

I am tired of having to repeatedly say that Muslims are not terrorists. It is time we silence this Islamophobia with facts.

www.huffpost.com

Ramazan Mubarak.
Please don't kill any animal in holy month.

Forget about holy month. Tell me whether whatever I have written is right or wrong.