Fairuj Fariha
Over the last two decades, Bangladesh has seen a significant increase in the number of female migrant workers. Many of these women travel to the Middle East, particularly Saudi Arabia, in search of better economic opportunities to support their families back home. Saudi Arabia, a long-time destination for labor migration, relies heavily on foreign workers to fill positions in households and the service industry.
While the demand for inexpensive labor has created employment opportunities for Bangladeshi women, it has also exposed them to horrific abuse and exploitation. Many women working in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries face extremely difficult circumstances. Those employed as domestic workers are often isolated in private homes, where they endure long hours, little compensation, physical abuse, and even sexual violence. The lack of adequate legal protection, coupled with Saudi Arabia’s rigid guardianship system, leaves these workers in a highly vulnerable position, unable to report abuse or seek justice.
Reports of Bangladeshi women being physically assaulted, psychologically tortured, or even dying due to abuse or neglect are disturbingly common. Many are forced to labor under harsh conditions and are subjected to verbal and physical abuse from their employers. These women often remain silent out of fear—fear that speaking out could lead to further harassment or deportation. In the most tragic cases, some women have died while working abroad. Their bodies are returned to Bangladesh in coffins, often with no clear explanation of the cause of death.
The violence endured by Bangladeshi female migrant workers is further compounded by the lack of robust support systems. Although the Bangladeshi embassy in Saudi Arabia does provide shelter and assistance in some cases, it is frequently understaffed and under-resourced to handle the high volume of cases. Many workers attempting to escape abusive employers find it nearly impossible to reach the embassy or access the help they need. Moreover, Saudi Arabia’s cultural and legal context makes it extremely difficult for women to seek legal assistance. Domestic workers, in particular, are excluded from many labor rights protections under Saudi labor law.
Recently, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen made dismissive remarks regarding the deaths and mistreatment of Bangladeshi female laborers, suggesting that the issue was minor when viewed in proportion to the total number of women working abroad. This statement was both false and callous. It trivializes the suffering of thousands of women who endure extreme violence in foreign lands and reflects a deeply insensitive attitude toward human rights violations.
The plight of Bangladeshi women mirrors the experiences of female migrant workers from Kenya and Uganda, who also travel to Saudi Arabia seeking better economic opportunities. These women, too, face exploitation, abuse, and in many cases, death. Employed primarily as domestic workers, they often experience physical violence, sexual assault, wage theft, and forced labor. The oppressive kafala (sponsorship) system, which gives employers extensive control over workers’ legal and employment status, worsens these conditions. Confined to their employers’ homes, many women become virtual prisoners, with limited freedom of movement or communication.
The death toll among Kenyan workers is especially alarming. Over the past five years, at least 274 Kenyan workers—most of them women—have died under suspicious circumstances in Saudi Arabia. In 2024 alone, 55 deaths were reported. While many of these deaths are officially labeled as “natural” or caused by “brain death,” evidence of trauma such as burns or electrocution has emerged in some cases. Ugandan workers face similarly brutal conditions, although the Ugandan government has not released comprehensive data. The lack of transparency and accountability in these cases is deeply troubling.
Recruitment agencies and officials in both Kenya and Uganda also play a significant role in enabling this exploitation. Many agencies, some tied to influential political figures, prioritize profit over worker welfare. They often fail to adequately inform workers about the conditions they may face, and they frequently ignore or dismiss reports of abuse. In some instances, officials with financial interests in recruitment actively obstruct efforts to hold abusive employers or agencies accountable.
Families seeking justice for the deaths of loved ones encounter numerous barriers. Investigations into worker deaths are rare and typically superficial. Bodies are often repatriated without thorough autopsies, leaving families with unanswered questions. The costs and bureaucratic hurdles involved in bringing bodies home make it even harder for grieving families to pursue justice.
Although Saudi Arabia has introduced some labor reforms, many domestic workers are still excluded from these protections. The continued lack of enforcement and accountability has allowed this cycle of abuse and death to persist, with countless women suffering or dying in their pursuit of better lives. Urgent reforms are needed to protect migrant workers, strengthen accountability for recruitment agencies and employers, and ensure that perpetrators of abuse and neglect are brought to justice.
The Need for Immediate Action
The public outrage over the foreign minister’s remarks highlights the urgent need for a shift in how Bangladesh approaches labor migration, especially concerning women. The government must take responsibility for the safety and dignity of its citizens working abroad. Female migrant workers are among the most vulnerable laborers and deserve strong protections, whether they work in domestic service or other sectors.
First and foremost, the government must implement specific policies to ensure safe, fair, and dignified employment for female migrant workers. These policies should include stricter regulation of recruitment agencies to prevent exploitation and deception. They must also establish legal protections and accessible recourse mechanisms for workers experiencing abuse.
Monitoring systems for migrant labor must be improved, with clear checks and balances to detect and prevent exploitation. Diplomatic channels and embassy services must be strengthened to make it easier for workers to seek help. Shelters in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries should be expanded and made accessible without fear of retaliation.
Public awareness campaigns are also crucial. Educating workers about their rights, embassy services, and methods for reporting abuse can empower them to resist exploitation and demand accountability.
Until these steps are taken, female migrant workers will continue to be at risk. The government must act now, not only to protect the lives and dignity of these women but also to uphold the basic human rights of all its citizens abroad.
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