Urgent action must be taken for migrants return home empty-handed

In light of the distressing plight faced by thousands of Bangladeshi migrants returning home empty-handed, urgent action must be taken to address this crisis.

These individuals, who ventured abroad hoping to secure a better future for themselves and their families, now find themselves plunged into despair and financial ruin, with their dreams shattered and their families devastated.

The migrant returnees serve as stark reminders of the harsh realities faced by migrants, from risking their lives on perilous journeys across the Mediterranean to falling victim to unscrupulous agents promising false promises of opportunity abroad.

The recent incident involving the deportation of Bangladeshi migrants from the Maldives underscores the urgent need for comprehensive support and protection mechanisms for vulnerable migrant populations.

While efforts have been initiated by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, as well as organizations like the International Organization for Migration, to assist returnees, it is evident that these efforts fall short of addressing the scale and complexity of the issue.

The provision of nominal pocket money and food assistance, while commendable, is insufficient in meeting the needs of returnees who are grappling with trauma, financial hardship, and social reintegration challenges.

Therefore, it is imperative that stakeholders, including the government, civil society organizations, and the international community, come together to develop and implement a comprehensive support framework for returning migrants.

This framework must include psychological counselling services to address trauma, financial assistance to help rebuild livelihoods, and social reintegration programs to facilitate the transition back into communities.

Moreover, greater efforts must be made to tackle the root causes of irregular migration, including addressing the lack of job opportunities at home and cracking down on fraudulent recruitment practices.

The Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training’s warning against agents promising free visas must be heeded, and proactive measures must be taken to hold such agents accountable.

As a significant source of migrant workers and a substantial recipient of remittances, Bangladesh has a moral obligation to ensure the well-being and protection of its citizens abroad.

It is only through concerted action and collaboration that we can uphold the dignity and rights of migrant workers and prevent further tragedies from occurring. The time to act is now.