Without a doubt, the true heroes of our society are migrant workers. With their consistent influx of foreign currency, they make significant contributions to the economy. Unfortunately, recognition for their efforts falls short from both important officials and manpower agencies. Bangladesh’s policymakers and stakeholders should consider the decrease in migrant workers as an important signal prompting for major changes.
The transitional government needs to put governance reforms at the forefront of their agenda to effectively address the struggles migrant workers face. The establishment of a migration commission dedicated exclusively to these matters, alongside increased budget allotments for migration problems, are necessary measures to reinforce the system.
Equally important is the implementation of policy reforms, expansion of skills training programs for workers, and the generation of safer working opportunities for women. These factors ought to be prioritized to offer migrant workers better support.
Moreover, the revamping of recruitment processes to improve transparency, in addition to enhancing the capacities of training centres, could lead to a more dependable migration mechanism. This strategy is not just crucial for ensuring migrant workers’ safety, but also maintaining the integrity of the labour migration environment in Bangladesh.
Interestingly, while overseas workers sent home USD 26.9 billion last year (showing a 23 percent growth from the earlier year), there has been a concerning 22.5 percent decrease in individuals looking for work opportunities overseas. A total count of 1,011,856 individuals sought overseas employment last year, a significant drop from the 1,305,856 that were recorded the previous year, as per the Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training (BMET).
This dimension delineates the picture of a sector that serves as a cornerstone for our national economy and a crucial sustenance for numerous households. Similarly alarming is the marked fall in the count of migrant workers who are female. Just 54,696 women managed to secure jobs abroad last year, denoting a 22 percent decrease from the prior year.
The decreasing trend in female migration not only places their financial autonomy at risk but also robs families of vital economic support. As mentioned in the ‘Labour Dynamics of Labour Migration from Bangladesh in 2024’ report by RMMRU, systemic corruption and irregularities have had a major impact on labour migration opportunities.
It was notable that in 2021, Malaysia reopened its labour market under the management of a syndicate, only to close it again in May 2024. The syndicate in question misused about US $2 billion, thereby escalating the migrating costs and leaving numerous workers either abandoned in foreign lands or constrained to return to their homelands.
Furthermore, amidst various issues including fraudulent documentation, migration to several nations such as Oman, Bahrain, UAE, and the Maldives remained halted for the entirety of 2024. These events have underscored an urgent need for vital reforms within the migration sector to protect workers from losing further opportunities.
The falling number of migrant workers from Bangladesh poses an opportunity for the country’s decision-makers to reassess and reform the labour migration system. By tackling corruption head-on, augmenting training and skill development, and establishing safer routes for migration, Bangladesh can ensure a secured future for its citizens.
Moreover, maintaining the flow of remittances, a significant source of foreign currency, would bolster the country’s overall development. It is imperative that the relevant authorities take action with immediate effect. The future of an innumerable number of families heavily depends on these crucial steps.