Dhaka, Nov 03 (V7N) — Accounting has made its debut in the top 10 jobs for Bangladeshi migrant workers, as revealed by the half-yearly report from Ami Probashi. From January to June, nearly 13,000 Bangladeshi accountants went abroad, marking a shift towards skilled labor migration. This report, aimed at increasing transparency and reducing migration costs, highlights notable trends in the migration landscape for Bangladesh in 2024.

Saudi Arabia remains the top destination, drawing 250,000 workers from Bangladesh in the first half of 2024 alone, thanks to ongoing infrastructure projects creating demand for both skilled and unskilled labor. Over 500,000 Bangladeshi workers left for foreign employment during this period, with Malaysia and Qatar following Saudi Arabia as the next preferred destinations, attracting 93,000 and 39,517 workers, respectively.

Ami Probashi’s report also breaks down migration by sector, with "general" labor—comprising a mix of skilled and unskilled roles—representing 80% of migrants. Construction is the second-largest sector, employing over 63,000 Bangladeshi workers, while factory work follows with nearly 34,000 workers. Notably, skilled workers now constitute 10.4% of migrant labor, with professionals like software developers making up 3.2%, signaling a gradual shift from unskilled to skilled labor migration.

Dhaka led in outbound migration, with 121,520 workers, followed by Chattogram (91,530), and Khulna (37,290). The underdeveloped Rangpur division saw the lowest migration numbers, with only 14,410 workers.

In the first half of 2024, 183,274 visas were issued for individual workers, while group visas accounted for 28,223, and self-acquired visas for 24,638—a substantial increase attributed to Ami Probashi’s streamlined process. The app has helped reduce fraud by empowering migrants to independently handle visa processes, minimizing dependency on intermediaries.

Though the overall migration numbers rise each year, women remain underrepresented, constituting only 6% of the migrant workforce. Most female migrants are housekeepers, with 13,190 recorded during this period.

New opportunities in the European market, particularly in Italy, are promising, with 20,000 new visas expected to be issued by November. However, challenges in ensuring transparency, cost-efficiency, and timely processing remain, and solutions like Ami Probashi continue to play a crucial role in overcoming these barriers.

This positive shift towards skilled migration bodes well for Bangladesh's future labor market, offering hope for policymakers and researchers alike.

END/PR/AJ