Bangladesh's migrant workers face various challenges, problems: Study

Migrant workers face significant psychological challenges that begin upon leaving their home country and are exacerbated by various difficulties in their destination countries, increasing their vulnerability to mental health issues, according to a recent study.

"Different factors, including experiences abroad, challenges faced upon returning home, and societal perceptions of returnees, have contributed to the development of various psychological problems," states the study conducted by BRAC and released on Wednesday.

After returning from abroad, returnees faced various challenges, including financial crises, conflicts in family relationships, and issues such as separation and divorce, mentions the study titled, "Measuring the Effectiveness of Psycho-social Counselling Services on the Lives of Returnee Migrant Workers: An Assessment."

This study was led by Prof Kamal Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka and Director of Nasirullah Psychotherapy Unit.

The research has been done under the "Reintegration of Migrant Workers in Bangladesh" project with the help of Switzerland.

"We have talked to expatriates and found that migrants suffer from mental crises due to specific reasons such as loneliness, physical and mental abuse, loss of job, and not getting proper salary. But like everyone else in Bangladesh, expatriates do not give importance to mental health," he said.

He went on saying, "But we have seen people who have taken or received counselling services become more confident quickly. Especially women who have recovered faster than men."

He advocated for the integration of mental health support for migrant workers into government reintegration policies, emphasising the need for psychosocial support services (PSS) for returned migrants and trafficking survivors.

Abdul Mannan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, chief guest at the event, said, "We often do not understand that mental health is very important. The government is giving importance to the matter. The issue has been emphasised in the draft reintegration policy for returnees. We will work with the Ministry of Health to ensure mental health services." 

The event, presided over by Dr A T M Mahbub-ul Karim, Project Director of the Wage Earners Welfare Board RAISE Project, aimed to provide tangible assistance to returnees. 

He said, "As we recognize the need for counselling post-return, we must also educate workers going abroad about mental health."

Expatriates returning from Oman and Saudi Arabia shared their harrowing experiences of fraud and abuse, with one woman stating, "No one listened to us until BRAC counsellors stepped in. Their support helped us regain our confidence and focus on our health."

Professor Md Delwar Hossain from the National Institute of Mental Health emphasised the urgent need to increase the number of counsellors and psychiatrists nationwide.

The event featured insights from various stakeholders, including BRAC's Migration Program and Youth Platform Associate Director Shariful Hasan, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Program Manager Nazia Haider, and representatives from the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

This collective effort highlights the critical need for enhanced mental health support for Bangladeshi migrant workers and returnees, ensuring they receive the care necessary to rebuild their lives.