Government seeks to overcome ‘crisis of confidence’ in sending workers abroad

Remittance income is often called the driving force of the country's economy. The contributions of nearly 1.5 crore remittance warriors are enriching the foreign exchange reserves and keeping import trade running. This sector also helps control inflation to a large extent. However, the export of labour abroad is gradually declining.

During the Awami League era, the market was negatively impacted by various factors, including fraud in the name of sending workers, syndicate chaos, and recently the US-Israeli aggression in Iran. On the other hand, the labour markets of Bahrain and Malaysia have been closed to Bangladeshi workers for several years. The BNP-led government now faces these challenges. Although it has set a target of creating employment for one crore people abroad over its five-year term, it has been busy for the past five months trying to overcome the crisis of confidence.

The BNP government assumed office on February 17 with a slew of programmes for expatriates in its election manifesto, including creating vast overseas employment opportunities and putting an end to fraud and chaos. But on the 28th of that month, the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran. The conflict soon spread. In retaliation, Tehran launched waves of drones and missiles at US military bases and interests in Arab countries in the Middle East. Besides damaging those installations, ordinary people have also been affected. Many establishments have shut down, and the scope of work for expatriates has shrunk.

Bangladesh's remittance income is largely dependent on the Middle East. Two-thirds of its workers are employed in this region alone. In the ongoing conflict there, several dozen expatriates, including 12 Bangladeshis, have lost their lives. In such circumstances, many workers are afraid to go to work for fear of death. Again, some establishments have closed due to attacks. This has had a direct impact on Bangladesh's labour exports.

According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), a record 1,305,000 workers went abroad from Bangladesh in 2023. Overseas employment has not increased compared to that year. Last year, 1,132,000 workers went abroad for work. Of these, 775,194 went to Saudi Arabia alone. However, due to the Iran war, the number of workers going to the Middle East has decreased this year.

"In the six months until June this year, 365,667 people were sent abroad for employment. Of these, 214,000 went to Saudi Arabia. However, during the same period last year, over 513,000 went abroad. Of these, 365,000 went to Saudi Arabia alone. That is, compared to last year, the number of workers going abroad at this time this year has decreased by 30 percent. And the entry of Bangladeshis into the Saudi market alone has decreased by one-third," BMET provided the data.

Government Initiatives: As part of its election promises, the government has taken various initiatives to increase labour exports abroad. According to officials of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, BMET, and Bangladeshi embassies, extensive action plans have been taken in the five months of the new government to increase employment. The service activities of Bangladesh's embassies have been improved. The capacity of upward training centres has been enhanced. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has even visited Malaysia, where the labour market is closed, and returned with a promise to resolve the crisis.

When asked about the state of overseas labour exports during these five months of the government, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur said, Bangladesh has fallen behind in overseas employment due to political situation, especially the lawlessness under the Awami League's misrule. A crisis of confidence has been created due to fraud. The government is trying to overcome that crisis.

"Plans are being made for the Prime Minister's visit to develop the Middle Eastern labour market (in various countries). This could deepen relations and create new opportunities. Besides, to decentralise the labour market, Asia, the Asia-Pacific region, or even Europe are also being considered. The government is also exploring opportunities in Africa," he said regarding the future.

When asked what steps have been taken to reduce anarchy in the market, the State Minister mentioned that licences of 49 recruiting agencies that had formed syndicates in the past have been revoked. Besides reducing fraud, workers are being given training to develop the market. The 'cut-throat' migration costs are also being considered; the government is taking steps in this regard.

According to Expatriates' Welfare officials, the Bahrain labour market has been closed for Bangladesh since 2018 following a murder incident. During the interim government, Advisor Asif Nazrul visited there to resolve the crisis. The current government is also working to reopen the market.

A source from the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment said that at the 7th Bangladesh-Qatar Joint Committee meeting in Dhaka on May 18, the Qatari Minister of Labour, Ali bin Samikh Al Marri, expressed interest in taking workers in four new sectors in addition to the existing ones. Furthermore, the government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea for taking seasonal workers.

Special importance is also being given to Japan. The Prime Minister has permitted the creation of a Japan Cell under the Ministry. Many countries, including Nepal, are getting high-paying jobs by learning Japanese. But Bangladesh is lagging behind. For this reason, following the Prime Minister's directive, there is a provision of Tk 10 lakh in loans for students who learn foreign languages.

According to the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) World Migration Report 2026, Bangladesh is the world's 8th largest country in terms of remittance income. According to a Bangladesh Bank report, in the 2025-26 fiscal year, expatriates sent $35.56 billion (approximately Tk 4.38 lakh crore) in remittances through legal channels, which is the highest in the country's history and 17.3% more than the previous year.

Experts have offered various suggestions to further increase this income. Dr. Selim Reza, Coordinator and Associate Professor at the Center for Migration Studies at North South University, lamented, "The highest remittances come from the Middle East. But we hear news every day that many workers are confined to their homes and are not being paid properly. We are not hearing any discussion about which new markets we can go to to avoid these risks or what alternative markets to the Middle East could be for us."

"Along with reducing harassment and costs for workers, the dominance of syndicates and agencies must be stopped. Vicious circles are still trying to control the labour market. Therefore, recruiting agencies need to be graded and brought under accountability," he advised