The mapping and scoping of services for the Migrant workers of Bangladesh at various stages of labour migration cycle

The gaps and challenges in services offered to migrants at various migration stages at home and abroad to scope out how these can be better delivered to accrue sustained benefit from migration.

Labour migration has emerged as an important source of foreign currency in Bangladesh and the Government of Bangladesh has taken several policy initiatives in mainstreaming migration as well as catering services according to the needs of the migrant workers in the country. Nonetheless, there is still a knowledge gap on the types of services available to the migrants during the entire process of migration cycle namely pre-departure, post-arrival and return. The ILO and IOM with the support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) commenced a study on "Mapping and scoping of services for the migrant workers of Bangladesh at various stages of labour migration cycle”. The aim of the study was to assist the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE), Wage Earners’ Welfare Board (WEWB) and relevant stakeholders to address the gap and identify scopes for further improvement in availing services to migrants from a gender-sensitive approach. The study highlights the major trends in labour migration, the institutional structure that governs labour migration from Bangladesh, identifies key service providers, gaps and challenges along with key recommendations.