Recognising our returnee migrants' skills

Since 2020, over half a million Bangladeshi migrants have returned home. Most had no choice. The Covid-19 pandemic closed borders, shut down industries, and left our workers jobless overseas.

Now they are home, but many are still struggling.

Studies show that around 70% of returnees are unemployed or stuck in unstable jobs. These are people who spent years abroad, working hard, learning skills, and sending money back to their families. Their experience is valuable. But without proper support, they are left behind.

The government has taken important steps. Projects like RAISE, backed by the World Bank, are helping returnees with training, counselling, and cash support. A new partnership with the ILO and the Swiss Government is working to build better systems for reintegration.

These are good moves. But they're not reaching enough people. To truly help returnees rebuild their lives, we must focus on two things: recognising their skills and Creating jobs or business opportunities for them.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) 

Many returnees gained real skills while working abroad. They know how to build homes, drive heavy vehicles, care for people, run shops, cook, or manage teams. But when they return, most do not have any certificate to prove it. Employers here do not recognise what they have done.

That is where Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) comes in. RPL gives returnees an official certificate based on their real experience. It is a powerful tool. It helps them find better jobs, start businesses, or continue training.

The government has set a goal to give 23,500 RPL certificates through the RAISE project. That is a start, but it is far too small. More than 500,000 migrants came home. That means less than 5% will be reached.

The bigger problem? Most returnees do not even know what RPL is. Many live in rural areas. They never hear about the program. Others do not know where to go or how to apply. As of late 2023, fewer than 60,000 returnees had registered in the government's reintegration database.

If people do not know, they cannot benefit.

Recognition means little without work

Getting a skills certificate is great. But it must lead somewhere. A job. A business. A way to earn and support a family.

Too many returnees remain unemployed even after getting help. Some become rickshaw pullers or day labourers, even if they have years of skilled work experience abroad.

This means we need to connect RPL to real job opportunities. Employers should be part of the system. They should know about RPL and be encouraged to hire certified returnees. Public works projects like building roads or hospitals could also hire RPL-certified workers.

Many returnees want to start small businesses. They may have savings and skills. What they need is guidance, seed money, and training in how to run a business. Reintegration programs should include this kind of support.

Scaling up solutions

The RAISE project is already showing what is possible. It is providing skills recognition, counselling, and financial support to returnee migrants. The government's new partnership with the ILO and Switzerland also reflects strong political will to improve reintegration. But these efforts now need to go further. They must reach more people, in more places, with greater speed and scale.

To start, awareness must grow. Returnees need clear, accessible information about RPL and reintegration support. Local government offices, union councils, and the media can all play a role in spreading the word.

Next, services must become easier to access. Mobile registration and RPL testing teams should be deployed to rural areas, where most returnees live. They should not have to travel long distances or navigate complex systems to get certified.

Just as importantly, skills recognition must be linked to actual jobs. A national job-matching platform focused on returnees could connect them with employers who need skilled workers. Partnerships with local industries and training centres would help match skills to market demand.

And finally, coordination must improve. Reintegration is not the responsibility of a single ministry. It requires the joint effort of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare, Labour, Education, Finance, and Industries. Only a whole-of-government approach can deliver the scale and impact needed.

Reintegration should not be treated as a temporary project or emergency response. It should be woven into Bangladesh's long-term workforce and development plans. These returnees are not just beneficiaries; they are skilled citizens with the power to drive growth. Now is the time to bring them into the centre of that story.

Why this matters now

Returnees are not a burden. They are a resource. They have worked in tough conditions, learned valuable skills, and shown grit.

And now, as Bangladesh begins a new chapter of reform and rebuilding after August 2024, their role is more important than ever.

If we ignore them now, we lose not just their potential but also the chance to raise our national employment rate and increase labour force participation when the economy needs it most.

But if we support them with recognition, training, and opportunity, they can build businesses, create jobs for others, and strengthen local economies across the country.

Bangladesh is healing. Systems are changing. Reforms are underway. This is the moment to bring returnees into the heart of national recovery.

The work has begun. Let us now scale it up.

Sohana Samrin Chowdhury has worked with the International Labour Organisation, UNDP, and WFP, focusing on skills development, labour migration, and workplace safety policy.

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