The high number of deaths among Bangladeshi migrant workers abroad has raised concerns about their safety and the lack of government action to protect them. In 2023, a total of 4,552 migrant workers returned to Bangladesh as corpses, the highest figure in a decade. Between July 2017 and June 2022, 67.4% of the 17,871 dead bodies of migrant workers that were repatriated to Bangladesh came from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The causes of death often remain unexplained, with stroke or heart attack frequently cited as the cause. The accuracy of death certificates from destination countries is not verified by the Bangladeshi government. Working conditions, including extreme heat, overwork, pollution, and lack of access to healthcare, may contribute to the deaths. It is crucial for destination countries to enact and enforce laws that ensure a safe working environment and to thoroughly investigate the deaths of migrant workers. Bangladesh should exert pressure on destination countries to provide a safe working environment and demand proper investigation and compensation for the deceased workers. Both origin and destination countries share the responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of migrant workers [5a86c489].
The deaths of Bangladeshi migrant workers abroad have become a pressing issue, with concerns raised about the lack of government action to protect their safety and well-being. In 2023, a total of 4,552 migrant workers returned to Bangladesh as corpses, the highest number in a decade. Between July 2017 and June 2022, 67.4% of the 17,871 dead bodies of migrant workers repatriated to Bangladesh came from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The causes of death often remain unexplained, with stroke or heart attack frequently cited as the cause. The Bangladeshi government does not verify the accuracy of death certificates issued by destination countries. Working conditions, including extreme heat, overwork, pollution, and lack of access to healthcare, may contribute to the high number of deaths. It is essential for destination countries to establish and enforce laws that ensure a safe working environment and to conduct thorough investigations into the deaths of migrant workers. Bangladesh should exert pressure on destination countries to provide a safe working environment and demand proper investigation and compensation for the deceased workers. Both origin and destination countries share the responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of migrant workers [5a86c489].
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud stated that a total of 11,450 Bangladeshis, including migrant workers, are currently in jails in 31 countries. The highest number of Bangladeshis, 5,746, are in jails in Saudi Arabia, while the lowest number, two, are in jails in Portugal, Japan, and Belgium each. Other countries with significant numbers of Bangladeshi prisoners include India (1,579), Türkiye (508), Oman (420), Qatar (415), Greece (414), UAE (404), South Africa (385), Myanmar (358), Malaysia (219), Iraq (217), China (191), Hong Kong (122), Jordan (100), Italy (81), Maldives (70), Singapore (66), Indonesia (49), Lebanon (28), Spain (19), Brunei (16), Libya (9), Egypt (6), Korea (6), Algeria (5), Thailand (4), and Mozambique (4). The foreign minister also stated that currently, no Bangladeshi has been arrested and imprisoned due to mistakenly entering India. The increasing number of Bangladeshi prisoners in foreign countries adds to the concerns about the safety and well-being of migrant workers, highlighting the need for both origin and destination countries to take action to protect their rights and ensure their safety [aa3178f5].