False promises abroad, no justice at home: New study sheds light on migrants’ perils

Infographics: TBS

Bangladeshi migrant workers are falling victim to false promises by recruiting agents or middlemen, leading to severe exploitation abroad, as a new study finds 75% of complainants said they were not given job contracts before migrating and 47% reported not receiving work permits in their destination countries.

Moreover, none of the migrant workers interviewed reported receiving regular salaries, according to the study conducted by the Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme (Okup), a grassroots migrants' rights organisation.

Among the 53% who received work permits, only 24% secured jobs – few in the promised sectors – according to the study titled "A Far Cry from Justice for Migrants: A Critical Analysis of Migrants' Experiences in the Arbitration System in Bangladesh", set to be released today. 

Deprived of the promised employment, many were forced to return home empty-handed. But even after filing complaints with the authorities, most received no justice.

The study, conducted between January 2023 and October 2024, analysed 114 complaints filed by migrant workers and their families for arbitration through the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). Of the complainants, 68 were men and 34 were women.

The study echoes longstanding concerns raised by sector insiders, who claim that thousands of Bangladeshi workers have been denied promised jobs and work permits in the post-Covid period, particularly in the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia being the main destination.

It also highlights widespread exploitation, including physical abuse – 94% of female respondents reported experiencing regular physical and psychological violence.

According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), Bangladesh sent around 45 lakh workers abroad between 2021 and June 2025, with nearly 70% heading to Saudi Arabia.

"Our workers are spending large sums to go abroad, but many aren't getting jobs once they arrive," said Professor Dr Mohammad Nurunnabi, chairman of the Accounting Department at Prince Sultan University in Saudi Arabia, told TBS.

"In some areas of Saudi Arabia, if you go in the morning, you'll see thousands of people sitting around waiting for work," he added.

Dr Nurunnabi, who has lived in the Kingdom for about 12 years, said the core problem lies in the recruitment process.

"We've proposed to our embassy in Saudi Arabia to verify the job demand letters issued by companies," he said.

Highlighting the validity of the complaints surrounding the Saudi labour market, former secretary general of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira), Shamim Ahmed Chowdhury Noman, told TBS, "Since many workers are not getting their iqamas or the jobs promised in their contracts, recruiting agencies are being held responsible later."

"One of the main reasons workers become undocumented is the delay in getting iqamas. Due to high fees, many employers hesitate to complete the iqama process on time," he added.

BMET Director General Saleh Ahmed Mujaffor could not be reached for comment despite multiple phone calls.

Md Forkan, a Bangladeshi migrant worker based in Medina, Saudi Arabia, told TBS over the phone that he has been sheltering several fellow Bangladeshis who were denied the jobs they were promised after arriving in the country. One of them is 34-year-old Abdul Mukid from Sunamganj.

According to Forkan, Mukid arrived in Saudi Arabia five months ago with a group of 30 other Bangladeshis, spending over Tk4 lakh for the migration. Mukid was assured of a position as a general worker at a pilgrims' hostel, but the job never materialised.

"Right now, only one of them is staying with me. A month ago, there were at least four," Forkan told TBS.

"Some have scattered to different places in search of work, but none have found jobs. Many are surviving here by borrowing money from home," he added.

36% returned home within 3 months

According to the Okup study, illegal recruitment practices by recruiters and employers forced 36% of the complainant migrants to return home within three months of arrival, while 40% returned within three to six months.

These premature returns pushed many into debt bondage and an undignified life. After returning, the migrants filed complaints with the BMET, but only 39% of those cases were resolved –typically with compensation ranging from just Tk20,000 to slightly over Tk1 lakh.

However, these workers had paid three to six times the government's fixed migration cost. Even the arbitration process is slow, taking up to 120 working days in 39% of the resolved cases.

In most instances, BMET issued notices to the accused agencies or middlemen only after repeated follow-ups by the victims.

"BMET oversees arbitration in addition to its regular duties. With no provision for additional staff or proper training, there are serious concerns about the quality of the arbitration process," said Shakirul Islam, chairperson of Okup.

"As BMET is also responsible for licensing recruitment agents and issuing emigration clearances to migrants, its role in handling arbitration cases presents an inherent conflict of interest," he added.

Forged documents, soaring migration costs

According to the Okup study, 80% of the respondents were recruited through unauthorised sub-agents, even though the law permits only licensed agencies to handle recruitment.

About 22% of respondents reported that agents forged their medical test certificates, while 16% said their pre-departure orientation certificates were also falsified – both essential for obtaining emigration clearance.

Every male migrant surveyed said they were charged exorbitant migration fees – double the legal rate for those bound for Saudi Arabia, and up to six times higher for Malaysia-bound workers.

Although the government mandates zero migration fees for female domestic workers, 65% reported being illegally charged between Tk50,000 and Tk2 lakh by agents.

Widespread violations of rights, entitlements

Male migrant workers without work permits were often confined until their entry visas expired. Lacking legal jobs and documentation, they were classified as absconders under local laws.

No workers received their salaries regularly. About 53% were paid every two to three months – and less than the agreed amount.

Additionally, 6% of male migrants were critically injured at work but denied medical treatment by their employers, forcing them to return home in serious health conditions.

Among the 34 female domestic workers surveyed, 82% said they were forced to work excessively without any rest, while 97% reported being denied weekends and holidays.

A total of 79% complained of unpaid wages, and 80% experienced food deprivation. Healthcare was also a major concern, with 97% saying they were denied medical treatment.

In more extreme cases, 15% reported being confined without food or water for days, and 47% said they had faced sexual exploitation.