Bangladesh’s manpower export sector — one of the country’s most vital sources of foreign currency — is facing an alarming crisis.
Once a robust driver of remittances and economic stability, this sector is now almost solely dependent on Saudi Arabia, with most other traditional labour markets either closed or severely restricted.
This newspaper yesterday reported that the failure to diversify destinations and actively explore new opportunities has left both recruiting agencies and migrant workers in a state of uncertainty.
According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), Saudi Arabia absorbed the lion’s share of Bangladeshi migrant workers this year — 300,004 of the 420,721 sent abroad between January and May. By comparison, Qatar, the second-largest market, employed just 40,308 workers.
The figures reveal the country’s overreliance on a single market, making its manpower exports highly vulnerable to sudden policy changes or geopolitical shifts.
Stakeholders, including the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), have expressed frustration over the lack of diplomatic initiatives to open or expand new markets.
Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Americas remain largely untapped, despite growing global demand for skilled and semi-skilled workers.
The BAIRA leadership has also urged the government to act swiftly to reopen the Malaysian labour market, which has long been considered a critical destination for Bangladeshi workers but has been closed for years due to unresolved policy and syndicate-related disputes.
This stagnation is not merely a reflection of global labour dynamics, but also a result of domestic policy shortcomings.
The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has been criticised for failing to devise a long-term strategy to expand into new markets.
Past allegations of malpractice and collusion with recruiting syndicates have further eroded trust and hindered progress.
The consequences of inaction are already visible. In comparison to last year, the total number of migrant workers sent abroad in the same period has declined.
Moreover, thousands of aspirant workers remain in limbo, with limited options and mounting frustration.
The government must prioritise diplomatic engagement with potential labour-importing countries while negotiating fairer and more transparent frameworks for workers.
Embassies should be empowered to actively promote Bangladeshi manpower in emerging markets, such as Eastern Europe and Africa.
Bangladesh cannot afford complacency. Reviving and diversifying its manpower export sector is essential not just for sustaining remittance flows but also for protecting the livelihoods of millions of workers whose dreams and futures depend on it.
