Govt’s economic failure is leading to increase in illegal migration

That the illegal migration of Bangladeshis to Europe and other parts of the world has increased speaks two things about Bangladesh very pertinently. Firstly, there is hardly any job for the unskilled and semiskilled people, mostly among the younger generation. Bangladesh’s economy at present is going through a deep crisis, and to manage a job by even an educated and skilled person has also become very difficult.
Finding no livelihood means a section of jobless people is taking risky ventures to go to foreign countries albeit illegally. Very few will agree that as a country Bangladesh enjoys a good reputation abroad. The low ranking of the country’s passport is an ample proof of that. It is not that illegal migrants are not often being caught in foreign countries. They often are and are returned home by the host country. When this happens, it makes news sullying the country’s reputation even more.
The present government is in power for more than a decade, but it paid little attention to job creation in the country on the one hand, and failed in creating a generation of skilled labour force on the other. However, the government also failed to control illegal migration of Bangladeshis effectively.
According to a report of a national daily yesterday, in the first eight months of the current year, 10,376 illegal border crossings by Bangladeshis on five Mediterranean routes were detected, according to Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency. These are, however, only the known cases. In 2021, the number of illegal border crossings by Bangladeshis was 8,523.
Quoting the UN refugee, the report said that between January last year and November this year, the UN Refugee Agency in its Mediterranean situation report said 20,700 Bangladeshi nationals arrived in Europe, which is the third highest after Tunisians and Egyptians.
However, these illegal migrants are not only arrested while going to their destinations in Europe, many die on their way when they use the sea route. A government that is busier in remaining power through illegal means and is engaged in mind-boggling corruption has little time to see how the country could be made economically strong so that people get jobs inside the country and if and when they need to go outside they do so through legal means.