Bangladesh
International Migrants Day

Remittance hits record high, but workers remain neglected

Bangladeshi migrants workers rights in Malaysia
Representational Image

Despite a record increase in remittance this year, experts and migrant workers say the government has yet to take meaningful steps to alleviate their suffering or ensure their benefits and welfare.

Data from Bangladesh Bank shows that up to November of 2024, remittance stood at $24.24 billion, an all-time high, and is expected to surpass $26 billion by year-end. This is despite a decline in the number of migrant workers compared to the last two years.

In 2024, 9,06,355 Bangladeshis travelled abroad for work up to November, compared to 1.3 million in 2023 and 1.1 million in 2022.

During the pandemic, remittance reached $22.77 billion in the 2020-21 fiscal year and US $23.91 billion in the last fiscal year.

Mustafa K Mujeri, executive director of Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development, credited the rise in remittance to shifts in its sources.

"It is a good sign that remittance is now coming from non-traditional markets like the USA," he said.

He explained that traditional markets usually recruit low-skilled workers, resulting in lower remittances despite higher outflows of workers.

Mujeri, a former chief economist of Bangladesh Bank, also said a reduced gap between formal and informal channels, such as hundi, has contributed to the higher remittance.

"To sustain this flow, the government must maintain the low gap and address inefficiencies," he said.

He urged authorities to conduct studies on foreign labour markets and prioritise upskilling workers.

However, migrant workers say while their contributions to the economy continue to grow, they receive little in return.

Farhad Hossain, a worker in Oman, said, "The government receives over US $22 billion annually from us but makes no effort to ensure our basic needs. They don't care about how we live, our health issues, or whether we are safe. Their only concern is how much money we send."

"What will happen if we stop sending remittances? The government knows we are vital to the economy but refuses to treat us with dignity. Even the embassies do not respect us; they treat us like slaves," he added.

At least 10 migrant workers from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Oman, and several other Middle Eastern countries expressed similar frustrations.

Shariful Hasan, associate director of BRAC's Migration and Youth Platform, said, "We haven't seen any significant initiatives over the past four months to address their suffering. These fighters keep our economy afloat, yet they are denied the rights and respect they deserve."

Shariful attributed the decline in number of migrant workers to the shutdown of labour markets in Malaysia and Oman.

He said the government did not addres high migration costs. He also called for tough measures to control recruiting agencies.

Prof Tasneem Siddiqui, founding chair of Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit, expressed disappointment that the government has not yet formed a commission to address migrant workers' issues.

Mentioning migrant issues in the government's white paper is a positive step but stressed the need for concrete action, she stated.

"The government must reduce the number of recruiting agencies, improve monitoring in destination countries, and ensure jobs and regular payment of salaries for migrant workers," she added.

Prof Tasneem called for the repatriation and rehabilitation of workers who do not receive jobs or salaries abroad.

She emphasised the need to stop recruiting agencies from purchasing visas at inflated prices to lower migration costs.

"We want a proper migration process, even if it reduces the number of workers going abroad," she said.

Comments

International Migrants Day

Remittance hits record high, but workers remain neglected

Bangladeshi migrants workers rights in Malaysia
Representational Image

Despite a record increase in remittance this year, experts and migrant workers say the government has yet to take meaningful steps to alleviate their suffering or ensure their benefits and welfare.

Data from Bangladesh Bank shows that up to November of 2024, remittance stood at $24.24 billion, an all-time high, and is expected to surpass $26 billion by year-end. This is despite a decline in the number of migrant workers compared to the last two years.

In 2024, 9,06,355 Bangladeshis travelled abroad for work up to November, compared to 1.3 million in 2023 and 1.1 million in 2022.

During the pandemic, remittance reached $22.77 billion in the 2020-21 fiscal year and US $23.91 billion in the last fiscal year.

Mustafa K Mujeri, executive director of Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development, credited the rise in remittance to shifts in its sources.

"It is a good sign that remittance is now coming from non-traditional markets like the USA," he said.

He explained that traditional markets usually recruit low-skilled workers, resulting in lower remittances despite higher outflows of workers.

Mujeri, a former chief economist of Bangladesh Bank, also said a reduced gap between formal and informal channels, such as hundi, has contributed to the higher remittance.

"To sustain this flow, the government must maintain the low gap and address inefficiencies," he said.

He urged authorities to conduct studies on foreign labour markets and prioritise upskilling workers.

However, migrant workers say while their contributions to the economy continue to grow, they receive little in return.

Farhad Hossain, a worker in Oman, said, "The government receives over US $22 billion annually from us but makes no effort to ensure our basic needs. They don't care about how we live, our health issues, or whether we are safe. Their only concern is how much money we send."

"What will happen if we stop sending remittances? The government knows we are vital to the economy but refuses to treat us with dignity. Even the embassies do not respect us; they treat us like slaves," he added.

At least 10 migrant workers from Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Oman, and several other Middle Eastern countries expressed similar frustrations.

Shariful Hasan, associate director of BRAC's Migration and Youth Platform, said, "We haven't seen any significant initiatives over the past four months to address their suffering. These fighters keep our economy afloat, yet they are denied the rights and respect they deserve."

Shariful attributed the decline in number of migrant workers to the shutdown of labour markets in Malaysia and Oman.

He said the government did not addres high migration costs. He also called for tough measures to control recruiting agencies.

Prof Tasneem Siddiqui, founding chair of Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit, expressed disappointment that the government has not yet formed a commission to address migrant workers' issues.

Mentioning migrant issues in the government's white paper is a positive step but stressed the need for concrete action, she stated.

"The government must reduce the number of recruiting agencies, improve monitoring in destination countries, and ensure jobs and regular payment of salaries for migrant workers," she added.

Prof Tasneem called for the repatriation and rehabilitation of workers who do not receive jobs or salaries abroad.

She emphasised the need to stop recruiting agencies from purchasing visas at inflated prices to lower migration costs.

"We want a proper migration process, even if it reduces the number of workers going abroad," she said.

Comments

৮৮৭ কোটি টাকা আত্মসাৎ, নাফিস সরাফাত পরিবারের ৭৪ ব্যাংক অ্যাকাউন্ট জব্দের নির্দেশ

অ্যাকাউন্টগুলো নাফিজ সরাফত, তার স্ত্রী আঞ্জুমান আরা শহীদ এবং তাদের ছেলে চৌধুরী রহিব সাফওয়ান সরাফাতের বলে জানা গেছে। 

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