Dhaka, Mar 10 (V7N)-Since the Covid-19 pandemic, female migration from Bangladesh has sharply declined.
Before the pandemic, women made up 10% of the total migrant workforce, but this has now fallen to 5%.
Bangladesh began sending female workers abroad in 1991. After Indonesia and the Philippines stopped sending domestic workers due to reports of abuse, Bangladesh signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia in 2015.
However, as the number of Bangladeshi female workers increased, cases of mistreatment, mental and physical abuse, non-payment of wages, and cultural barriers also surged.
Female migration hits decade-low
Excluding the pandemic years, this marks the lowest rate of female migration in the past decade.
Compared to 2023, female participation in migration fell by 22% in 2024.
BMET data shows that from 2015 to 2019, female migration remained above 100,000 annually.
In 2022, the number rose again to 105,466, marking a 31.6% increase from 2021.
Conversely, in 2023, female migration dropped by 27.84%, with only 76,108 women migrating for work.
The downward trend continued in 2024, with only 61,158 female migrants, a 19.64% decline from the previous year.
No data on returning female migrants
The government does not keep records of returning migrants, except for those who return with an "outpass" after losing their passports.
According to airport officials, female workers often return due to unmet job expectations, unpaid wages, excessive workloads, poor working conditions, abuse, language barriers, and health or family issues.
Saudi Arabia remains top destination
Among all destinations for female migrants, Saudi Arabia remains the leading choice, followed by Jordan and the UAE.
From 2004 to 2024, a total of 194,000 female workers migrated to Jordan, mainly in the garment sector.
Dubai has received 132,043 female workers in the last two decades, while Oman follows closely.
Visa restrictions in some countries have also contributed to the decline in migration.
Many returning female migrants report mistreatment, including abuse and exploitation, in their host countries. Some have even returned pregnant due to sexual violence.
Reports indicate that nearly every month, female domestic workers are forced to return from Saudi Arabia due to unsafe working conditions.
Experts’ opinions
Sumaiya Islam, executive director of the Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra (BNSK), said that the biggest issue is the lack of support systems for female migrants.
She added that childcare facilities and social support are lacking for women who migrate, and the government has been unable to provide necessary assistance abroad.
Islam further suggested that the labor market may be shifting, with Saudi Arabia potentially sourcing workers from South Africa instead.
Shariful Islam Hasan, associate director of Brac, stressed the need for stricter oversight of working conditions in Middle Eastern countries. He argued that rather than focusing on the total number of female migrants, Bangladesh should prioritize sending skilled workers to earn higher remittances in safer environments.
Ali Haider Chowdhury, former secretary general of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), said that the training duration for female migrants has increased from one to two months, causing delays in the migration process.
Additionally, demand from Saudi Arabia has decreased, further contributing to the decline.
END/MSS/AJ
Comment: