Bilateral agreement for migrant workers’ rights | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Friday
July 11, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
FRIDAY, JULY 11, 2025
Bilateral agreement for migrant workers’ rights

Thoughts

Adiba Tahsin Raha
04 October, 2020, 10:15 am
Last modified: 04 October, 2020, 11:10 am

Related News

  • False promises abroad, no justice at home: New study sheds light on migrants’ perils
  • 'July expatriate warriors': Protesters threaten hunger strike after 'unsatisfactory' ministry meeting over UAE detainees' release
  • 'July expatriate warriors': Families of migrant workers stage sit-in demanding rehabilitation
  • Bangladeshi migrant workers: Turning the focus to psychosocial issues
  • Suspension on sending workers to Lebanon lifted 

Bilateral agreement for migrant workers’ rights

In a situation where host countries do not ratify the conventions safeguarding migrant workers’ rights, signing bilateral agreements with the host countries is advised

Adiba Tahsin Raha
04 October, 2020, 10:15 am
Last modified: 04 October, 2020, 11:10 am
Adiba Tahsin Raha.
Adiba Tahsin Raha.

The whole world is going through a critical time due to the Covid-19 situation. Bangladesh being overtaken by a health crisis, economic fallout, and many undiscerned perils introduced by Covid-19, many challenges are yet to be solved.

The returnee migrant workers and their bitter experience in the host countries have made headlines. The Covid-19 situation has brought out issues related to overseas migration and gave us a clearer picture of the inane commitment of protecting the rights of our migrant workers.

Over 10 million Bangladeshi workers are employed in different host countries of the world. They have a significant contribution to the economy of Bangladesh and also towards strengthening the economy of the host countries. In return, they deserve a dignified life with the assurance of basic human rights. Unfortunately, what the migrants receive in return tells a different story. They have often been exposed to disfavour, negligence, and discrimination in the host countries.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Bangladeshi workers employed abroad are neglected and discriminated against in the host countries despite their significant contributions to our economy through remittances. PHOTO: REUTERS
Bangladeshi workers employed abroad are neglected and discriminated against in the host countries despite their significant contributions to our economy through remittances. PHOTO: REUTERS

The major labour receiving countries, especially Gulf countries and the Maldives have allegedly failed to uphold the dignity of our migrant workers. Amidst this pandemic, these countries have been exerting pressure on Bangladesh to repatriate the migrant workers without any assurance of remigration. These countries did not consider the vulnerability of our migrant workers and the high risk involved in such a repatriation process.

Due to the pandemic, many employers are illegally terminating the service contracts of our migrant workers without any compensation and many workers have been subjected to withholding and decrease in wages. The remaining migrant workers of Bangladesh are in a helpless situation and they are often denied food, healthcare, and shelter in the host countries.

The International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, 1990 along with the Migrant Workers (Supplementary Provisions) Convention, 1975 put an obligation on part of the host countries for fair treatment and welfare of the migrant workers employed in these countries.

The principle of nondiscrimination, the security of employment, social protection, and other basic human rights remain at the core of these conventions. But these conventions lose their appeal when the host countries show gross disinterest in the ratification of these conventions.

If we look at the ratification status of these conventions, it is apparent that most of the host countries did not ratify these conventions and thus they do not oblige themselves to protect the rights of the migrant workers. In such a situation, ILO and the above-mentioned conventions emphasise the adoption of bilateral agreements with the host countries.

A bilateral agreement is an agreement between the country of origin and country of destination defining clear responsibilities and actions to be taken on part of each state party to promote the welfare of the migrant workers.

As such, for ensuring a dignified status of migrant workers in the host countries, ILO 1949 Model Agreement and ILO's 2015 Global Review set out key factors that should be addressed in a bilateral agreement.

It is to be mentioned here that, The Overseas Employment and Migration Act, 2013 and The Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Policy, 2016 have recognised the value of such agreements in ensuring better protection and security to the migrant workers.

But the adoption of a binding bilateral agreement is not a widespread practice in Bangladesh. With most of the host countries, Bangladesh has concluded agreements which are non-binding and these mostly play role in maintaining good diplomatic relation status with the host countries.

Now a rational question arises – whether adoption of a bilateral agreement with the host countries will possibly bring any positive impact in the current migration scenario?

Certainly, an agreement in black and white can bring no difference if not followed by rigorous implementation. It depends upon the commitment, actions, and policies of the state parties.

Certain factors aid the proper implementation of a bilateral agreement. For example, effective monitoring, evaluation, assessment of an agreement and establishing a joint committee for that purpose, ensuring trade union rights to the migrant workers, strengthening the labour wings in the host countries and ensuring access to justice with an effective remedy where any abuse occurs, etc. determine the efficacy of an agreement.

The migration scenario of Bangladesh is becoming more and more grim day by day and the migrant workers are the worst sufferers. It is time for Bangladesh to rethink the condition of our migrant workers and go for bilateral agreements with the host countries with special emphasis on their implementation.


Adiba Tahsin Raha is a student of the Department of Law at the University of Chittagong.

Top News

bilateral agreement / migrant workers’ rights / migrant workers

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
    How tender rules and a lone bidder stall a $2.5b power plant
  • Bangladesh and US hold tariff talks for second day on 9July 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    35% tariff: Bangladesh, US 'reach general consensus on some issues' on second day of talks; final round today
  • BNP senior leader Salahuddin Ahmed. Photo: Collected
    No scope for electoral alliance with Jamaat, door not closed for NCP: BNP's Salahuddin

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin/TBS
    SSC, equivalent results: Pass rate drops to 68.45%, GPA-5 also declines
  • In terms of stream of education, girls maintained their excellence as well. Photo: TBS
    SSC 2025: Girls dominate boys by over 5%
  • Govt vehicle purchase, foreign trip, new building construction banned: Finance ministry
    Govt vehicle purchase, foreign trip, new building construction banned: Finance ministry
  • Students sit for SSC exam at Motijheel Girls' High School on 10 April 2025. Photo: Mehedi Hasan/TBS
    SSC exam results out: Here's how you can check online and via SMS
  • The overall pass rate across all boards this year, 68.45%, is significantly lower than last year's. Photo: Focus Bangla
    SSC 2025: Rajshahi board records highest pass rate, Barishal lowest
  • Representational image. Photo: Collected
    35% tariff: Bangladesh, US 'agree on most issues' as first day of talks ends

Related News

  • False promises abroad, no justice at home: New study sheds light on migrants’ perils
  • 'July expatriate warriors': Protesters threaten hunger strike after 'unsatisfactory' ministry meeting over UAE detainees' release
  • 'July expatriate warriors': Families of migrant workers stage sit-in demanding rehabilitation
  • Bangladeshi migrant workers: Turning the focus to psychosocial issues
  • Suspension on sending workers to Lebanon lifted 

Features

Photo: Collected/BBC

What Hitler’s tariff policy misfire can teach the modern world

15h | The Big Picture
Illustration: TBS

Behind closed doors: Why women in Bangladesh stay in abusive marriages

18h | Panorama
Purbachl’s 144-acre Sal forest is an essential part of the area’s biodiversity. Within it, 128 species of plants and 74 species of animals — many of them endangered — have been identified. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS

A forest saved: Inside the restoration of Purbachal's last Sal grove

18h | Panorama
Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS

11 July 2024: Riot vehicles, water cannons hit the streets as police crack down on protesters

11h | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

'Hypocrisy' will not continue, Iran tells IAEA

'Hypocrisy' will not continue, Iran tells IAEA

14h | TBS World
OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome

OpenAI to release web browser in challenge to Google Chrome

14h | TBS World
Will the title 'Honorable and Excellency' be abolished?

Will the title 'Honorable and Excellency' be abolished?

15h | TBS Today
July Declaration must be constitutionally recognized: Akhtar Hossain

July Declaration must be constitutionally recognized: Akhtar Hossain

14h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net