A total of 906,355 male and female workers moved abroad from January to November in 2024, marking a decline of nearly 30.80 per cent compared to the previous year, according to a report by Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU).
In 2023, over 1.30 million workers went abroad for employment, it said.
The report raised concerns over the significant fall in female migration. In between January and November this year, only 54,696 women migrated in search of work, accounting for 6.03 per cent of total migrants, marking the lowest rate of female migration in the past decade, excluding the pandemic period. Female migration to overseas countries dropped by 22 per cent this year compared to the previous year.
The report was presented at a press conference titled "Pattern and Trends of Labour Migration Bangladesh 2024: Achievements and Challenges" organised by the RMMRU at the National Press Club in the city on Saturday. Tasneem Siddiqui, founding chair of RMMRU, presented the findings at the event.
RMMRU, a research organisation in the migration sector, releases such reports annually to assess trends in labour migration.
The report attributes this drop to the country's July-August revolution which temporarily disrupted migration flows. However, migration rates regained momentum in the following months of the year.
According to RMMRU's research, uncertainty about decent working conditions has led to a decline in women's interest in seeking employment abroad.
Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Qatar were identified as the primary destinations for Bangladeshi workers, according to the report.
About the remittance trends, the report said despite the decline in migration, remittance inflow showed promising growth. The total remittance for 2024 is projected to reach $26.4 billion, reflecting a 32.54 per cent rise from the previous year.
Speakers at the event emphasised the need for policy reforms and skill development in the migration sector.
They particularly stressed the need for creating safe employment opportunities for women, enhancing the efficiency of training centres and ensuring transparency in the recruitment process.
Other recommendations included the establishment of a separate commission for migration affairs, increased budget allocation, and the formulation of effective policies to address international challenges.
About data gaps and returnee workers, the report said although there are records of how many Bangladeshis migrating since 1976, there is still no systematic data on how many workers returned to the country after completing their contracts.
The report urged the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, along with the Ministry of Home Affairs, to establish a comprehensive data collection system for returnee workers.
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