At Abu Dhabi Dialogue, Asif Nazrul urges joint action to curb migrant worker exploitation
He noted that Bangladesh, as one of the world's largest labour-sending countries, contributes significantly to global labour markets, while remittances from Bangladeshi expatriates play a vital role in the country's economic development.
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul has said that despite progress in labour migration governance, many migrant workers continue to face exploitation and rights violations – an issue he says that must be addressed through the shared responsibility of both labour-sending and labour-receiving countries.
Speaking at the ministerial meeting of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) 2026, Asif Nazrul described the forum as a trusted and effective platform for promoting safe, orderly and ethical labour migration.
He noted that Bangladesh, as one of the world's largest labour-sending countries, contributes significantly to global labour markets, while remittances from Bangladeshi expatriates play a vital role in the country's economic development, reads a press release issued by the expatriates ministry yesterday (1 February).
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However, he cautioned that migrant workers are still exposed to unfair recruitment practices, workplace exploitation and violations of basic rights.
"These challenges cannot be resolved by any single country alone," he said, stressing that both sending and receiving nations must work together to ensure ethical recruitment, decent working conditions and the protection of human dignity.
The adviser highlighted a number of recent government initiatives aimed at addressing these concerns, including the launch of a fully digital overseas employment portal, strengthened pre-departure orientation and welfare services, upgraded skills training aligned with international standards, and stricter enforcement of laws against fraudulent recruitment agencies.
Asif Nazrul called for collective commitment among Abu Dhabi Dialogue member states to uphold international labour standards and ensure accountability across the entire migration cycle – from recruitment to employment and return.
On the sidelines of the dialogue, the adviser also held a bilateral meeting with UAE Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation Dr Abdulrahman Abdulmanan Al Awar, where he raised concerns over visa-related challenges faced by Bangladeshi expatriates and sought cooperation in resolving family, seafarer and transfer visa issues.
The 8th Ministerial Consultation of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue began on 31 January in Dubai, bringing together representatives from 17 member states, senior officials and international organisations. There, Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation to safeguard migrant workers' rights and promote fair and ethical labour mobility.
