Bangladesh and migration
Bangladesh's migration history can be divided into several key phases. The precolonial period saw significant migration within and into East Bengal, which was instrumental in establishing the region's agricultural base. Substantial movements during the British colonial period, particularly from the Sylhet district to England, were also recorded for employment in shipyards and other industries.
The partition of India and Pakistan in 1947 triggered another significant migration wave, driven by religious affiliations, with Muslims moving to Pakistan and Hindus to India. The independence war of 1971 led to another significant displacement; this time, approximately 10 million people, mostly Hindus, fled across the Indian border, many of whom never returned.
In the post-independence era, economic factors have been a major driver of migration from Bangladesh to the Middle East.
The early 1970s saw a surge in labor migration due to the oil boom and rapid infrastructure development in Gulf countries. Today, Bangladesh is primarily a country of origin for migrants, with many semi-skilled and unskilled workers migrating on short-term contracts to the Middle East.
Despite the growth in educational institutions, the local employment opportunities still need to be improved, pushing many to seek work abroad. Environmental vulnerability due to Bangladesh's low-lying deltaic geography also contributes to internal and external migration.
Remittances are a critical component of Bangladesh's economy, reaching $21.9 billion in 2023, and have become a significant source of development funding, surpassing earnings from the garment sector.
These remittances have helped improve living standards, reduce poverty, and support economic stability, establishing Bangladesh as one of the top remittance-receiving countries globally.
However, migrants often face challenges such as unpaid wages, workplace abuses, and scams. Bangladesh has developed a multidimensional approach to migration governance to address these issues, focusing on protecting migrants' rights and maximizing the developmental benefits of remittances. There is a pressing need for policies that focus on higher-skilled sectors and gender-sensitive approaches, particularly as the number of female migrants increases.
Bangladesh will likely continue to be a significant country of origin for labor migrants due to its population density, economic structure, and environmental challenges. To fully realize the benefits of migration, policies need to reduce vulnerabilities associated with migration, such as excessive costs and risky journeys, and ensure safer and more beneficial conditions for migrants.
Bangladesh's future migration landscape will depend on robust governance and progressive policies that ensure the protection and welfare of migrants while harnessing the economic benefits of remittances.
