PORIMOL PALMA

Bangladesh’s overseas employment market faces growing risks of shrinking amid the war in the Middle East, the largest destination for migrant workers from the country.

If the crisis persists, economists fear it could also put pressure on the domestic job market.

Thousands of Bangladeshis, along with other Asian migrants, have already been affected as tourism, construction, and business activities slowed down across Gulf countries, according to migrants, recruiting agents, and researchers.

Many migrants report job losses and unpaid wages, while thousands of prospective workers are not being able to migrate. Nearly 900 flights bound for the Middle East had been cancelled since the US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28.

Due to the war, at least seven Bangladeshi migrants have been killed and several others injured in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Lebanon. The two-week ceasefire agreed on April 7 remains fragile.

The Daily Star has spoken to several Bangladeshi migrants in the Middle East over the phone.

Ripon Bepari, a construction worker living on the outskirts of Beirut, has been unemployed since Israel began targeting Hezbollah installations in Lebanon.

“I have not received any salary for February and March, as my employer stopped work,” he told The Daily Star.

Surviving on $300 (about Tk 37,000) in savings, he said he can no longer send money home to his family in Netrokona.

“The government speaks about us when there is a remittance shortage. Then, they forget it. I expect our authorities to come to our support when we are in an emergency,” he added.

Abdul Karim, a leader of the Bangladeshi migrant community in Lebanon, said around 5,000 Bangladeshis, along with Lebanese and other nationals, have lost jobs and many have been displaced.

“Migrants are living in fear of bombing... . They are more worried over their jobs and wages,” he said.

Security measures in Gulf countries, such as school closures, remote work, and restrictions near US bases, have further disrupted livelihoods.

Md Emon, a Bangladeshi taxi driver in Kuwait, said his monthly income has fallen from 200–300 Kuwaiti dinars (KD) to less than 100 KD (under Tk 40,000) as he was able to work just for 10 days over a month instead of the usual 20-25 days.

“It is common for migrant workers to gather at specific locations to be picked up by employers. Since the war began,

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