President calls for safer migration, action against fraud and middlemen

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President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for lower migration costs, transparent recruitment and strict action against fraudsters and middlemen to protect Bangladeshi workers seeking jobs abroad.

Speaking at the ‘Sonar Manush Sammilan 2026’ in Dhaka on Wednesday, he said many workers sell land, borrow money or use family savings to migrate, only to face fraud, excessive expenses and uncertain employment. He urged Bangladesh’s overseas missions to become more responsive to migrant workers’ needs and ensure workers understand their contracts, wages and legal rights.

The President said nearly 15 million Bangladeshi migrant workers contribute to the economy, with remittances exceeding $35 billion in FY2025-26. He stressed that migration policies should prioritise skilled employment, professional training and safe working conditions rather than simply increasing the number of workers sent abroad.

He identified AI, IT, automation, healthcare, nursing, elderly care, electrical technology and modern construction as sectors requiring skilled workers. He also called for stronger partnerships with foreign employers, better support for returning migrants, and access to credit so they can establish businesses.

Fakhrul further urged the government to expand jobs, training and industries outside major cities, strengthen climate resilience in vulnerable areas and develop a long-term national migration strategy. He also called for consideration of declaring a ‘Migration Decade’ to improve migration management.