Key Headlights
- 466,000 workers returned to Bangladesh in the past two years
- Financial support and mentorship for returnees starting their own businesses
- Aims to address safety, security, and long-term well-being of returnee migrant workers
- Prioritizes sustainability and inclusivity in the reintegration process
Migration, a global phenomenon, holds a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of societies and economies. As individuals pursue opportunities abroad, the subsequent return to their home countries becomes a critical juncture in the migration cycle. The success of this return, coupled with efficient reintegration, not only determines the destiny of the individuals involved but also has far-reaching effects on their families, communities, and the nation at large.
Effective reintegration transcends the mere physical return of migrants; it encompasses a holistic process aimed at seamlessly incorporating returning workers into the intricate fabric of their societies. When executed successfully, this intricate process ensures the safe and dignified return of individuals after accomplishing their migration objectives overseas.
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The efficacy of this process is measured by how adeptly returning individuals are reintegrated into their families, communities, and society following the achievement of their migration objectives abroad.
Reintegration of Migrant Workers in Bangladesh
International labor migration has played a pivotal role in propelling economic growth in Bangladesh. In the last five years, around four million low-skilled migrant workers have ventured abroad for employment, injecting a substantial USD 75 billion in remittances into the country. However, the critical facet of reintegration for returning workers often remains overlooked, creating a noticeable ‘missing link’ in the migration cycle. While outbound migrants receive attention from various stakeholders, the needs of returnees are frequently neglected.
Upon returning home, many migrants encounter challenges in securing suitable employment, especially women workers who face additional social obstacles in reconnecting with their families and communities. Unjust ostracization and stigma for perceived sexual exploitation, even when unfounded, hinder their reintegration into society and access to support networks.
The situation has been further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting over 500,000 migrants to return to Bangladesh since March 2020. These returnees now face limited opportunities due to subdued economic conditions, preventing them from remigrating and adding to their burden of debt. Despite the enactment of the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board Act in 2018, the Ministry has yet to develop a concrete action plan for the reintegration of migrant workers. Progress in enhancing the Board’s capacity or addressing reintegration concerns has been slow.
Amid these pressing challenges, there is a distinct opportunity for support from Switzerland and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) to assume a leading role in addressing migrant reintegration issues. By pioneering efforts in this area, Switzerland can significantly contribute to regional endeavors aimed at tackling this crucial matter.
Importance of Sustainable Reintegration
Effective reintegration goes beyond merely bringing individuals back into their communities. It involves creating conditions for returnees to secure political, economic, social, and psychosocial well-being while respecting their rights. Bangladesh, like many other countries, benefits immensely from reintegrated returnees who bring knowledge, resources, and global networks back home. Sustainable reintegration contributes to a stable, economically vibrant, and socially inclusive Bangladesh.
Challenges in Current Scenario
Despite being the second-largest contributor to Bangladesh’s GDP, the remittances from migrant workers are not harnessed sustainably. A lack of a regulatory framework for socioeconomic reintegration poses challenges. Female returnees, in particular, face stigma, adding complexity to the process. According to the Population and Housing Census Report 2022, around 4,66,000 workers returned to Bangladesh in the previous two years. The absence of a comprehensive regulatory framework and inadequate support from the public sector hinder the seamless reintegration of these returnees.
Navigating the complexities of securing work in destination countries and obtaining work visas remains a formidable challenge for prospective migrant workers in Bangladesh. Despite efforts from both governmental and non-governmental sectors to disseminate information on safe and regular migration, the initiatives have fallen short of meeting the needs. Additionally, migrant workers lack adequate knowledge about their rights, duties, and entitlements upon reaching their destination.
Among South Asian nations, Bangladeshi migrant workers shoulder the highest migration costs. The disparity between the government-established migration costs and the amounts workers must pay agents to facilitate their migration is substantial. Factors such as visa trading at the destination, profit-driven practices by unscrupulous recruiting agencies with influential connections, the involvement of numerous intermediaries domestically and internationally, and a lack of effective state oversight collectively contribute to the exorbitant migration costs in the country.
Challenges in Pre-Departure Phase
| Formidable challenges in securing work and obtaining work visas |
| Efforts to disseminate information on safe migration fall short |
| Lack of knowledge about rights, duties, and entitlements at the destination |
Reintegration Challenges
- Female returnees face stigma, compilating the reintegration process
- Lack of comprehensive regulatory framework hampers seamless reintegration
- Insufficient support from the public sector compounds challenges for returning migrants
Policy Initiatives and the Way Forward
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has drafted a policy specifically focusing on returnee migrants. The draft policy includes provisions for a returnee database, one-stop centers, and a referral mechanism for employment. Additionally, a joint project titled “Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment: Reintegration of Returning Migrants” aims to serve two lakh returnee migrants. Financial incentives, orientation, counseling, and skills certification are part of this initiative.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist in integrating stakeholders and service providers into a cohesive platform. The lack of data on returnee migrants, limited targeted support services, social stigma, and coordination issues are significant obstacles. A whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach is essential for effective implementation. Coordination mechanisms involving public sector partnerships with civil society, NGOs, development partners, and private sector employers are crucial. Adequate financial resources, a motivated workforce, and a well-developed institutional framework are needed for sustainable reintegration.
Proposed policy
In addition to the proposed policy, a government and development partners-funded project titled “Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment: Reintegration of Returning Migrants” has been initiated to assist two hundred thousand returnee migrants. Under this initiative, each returning migrant will be provided with a financial incentive of Tk 13,500, along with orientation and counseling services. Moreover, 23,500 returning migrants will be recognized for their prior learning through the issuance of skills certificates under the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program.
Conclusion
The successful reintegration of returning migrants is crucial for the sustainable development of Bangladesh. Policies that facilitate economic empowerment, social inclusion, and protection of rights will contribute to creating an environment where returnees feel safe, valued, and engaged. As Bangladesh moves forward, recognizing the potential of returnee migrants and implementing effective policies will not only enhance the well-being of individuals but also foster a more resilient and economically prosperous nation.
