Why are vital labour markets still closed for Bangladesh?

It is disheartening to see Bangladesh's labour migration to some major overseas markets remaining stalled for years. According to a report by this daily, the country has yet to reverse or recover from the restrictions imposed by destination countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysia, Oman, and Bahrain, with no clear timeline for reopening. This is despite repeated assurances and high-level engagements from the authorities in recent times.

The situation in the UAE and Malaysia, both major markets for Bangladeshi workers, highlights the depth of the crisis. The UAE has remained effectively closed since July 2024, when some migrants demonstrated in solidarity with the quota reform protesters at home. This is reflected in the fact that no visit or work visas have been issued over the past year, although there has been no official confirmation. Moreover, there is some talk that the ban or restriction may extend to 2026 as well. The stalemate, which has left aspiring workers stuck in limbo, has persisted despite efforts by the interim government, including during the World Governments Summit held in Dubai earlier this year where Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus urged UAE ministers to lift the ban.

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Bangladesh still locked out of key labour markets

The Malaysia situation remains equally bleak. Despite recent efforts put by the governments of both countries in reopening the market—leading to Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul announcing in mid-May the "imminent" deployment of 7,926 workers in the first batch—there has been no tangible progress yet. Of particular concern is the protracted uncertainty over the future of the 18,000 or so workers left stranded after missing the May 31, 2024 departure deadline, when the market last closed. Any recruitment drive post-reopening is supposed to prioritise those stranded, who paid hefty sums to recruiting agencies—far above the official fee—but to no avail so far. The question is, what's stalling the progress?

Over the past decade, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Egypt, and Brunei have also closed their doors to Bangladeshi workers at various times. Among them, Bahrain closed its labour market in 2018, Oman in September 2024, and the Maldives last year; they have yet to be reopened. The picture that emerges from this reality of market closures and visa suspensions is deeply troubling. Over the years, we have repeatedly warned about the long-term consequences of our recruitment practices. We have highlighted the widespread irregularities in recruitment as well as the stranglehold of syndicates. The continuation of these systemic flaws has not only driven up costs for aspiring migrants but also eroded the confidence of destination countries, which is now evident.

This situation must be reversed. Our overdependence on Saudi Arabia against the backdrop of shrinking access to other labour markets is totally unsustainable. We urge the government to address this crisis as a key priority. The lack of progress or breakthrough in reopening closed markets is proof that diplomatic efforts alone are not enough. We must overhaul the entire labour recruitment system to ensure the welfare of our workers and steady economic progress for the nation.