Despite the growing trend of Bangladeshis attempting to enter Europe for work, many face challenges in securing jobs due to a lack of skills and language proficiency, according to migration analysts. While Bangladesh has a long history of labor migration to the Middle East, in recent years, an increasing number have sought opportunities in European countries, both legally and illegally. Unfortunately, many lives have been lost in the perilous journey, particularly while crossing the Mediterranean Sea, where migrants have been buried in mass graves.
In 2024, a total of 1,011,969 Bangladeshis migrated for work, but only 16,077 ventured to 28 European countries. Among them, only a few countries like Italy, Bulgaria, and Portugal received a significant number of workers, while others, like Western European nations, saw very few Bangladeshis arriving for work. This low number highlights the gap between the demand for skilled workers and the lack of qualified manpower in Bangladesh.
Experts suggest that Europe’s labor market is increasingly seeking skilled immigrants, and many developed countries, including European nations, are offering opportunities for workers in various sectors. However, Bangladesh’s failure to tap into these markets is attributed to the absence of proper skill development and institutional support. Shakirul Islam, Chairman of the Migrant Workers Development Program (OKAP), emphasized that while workers often migrate through informal channels such as relatives or brokers, formal agreements and institutional systems for skill migration have not been developed adequately.
As per data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), neighboring countries like India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are better positioned to fill the European labor market’s demand for skilled workers. Bangladesh, on the other hand, has yet to establish the necessary infrastructure for skill-based migration.
Although there are some existing bilateral agreements between Bangladesh and European countries such as Greece, the agreements with other nations are outdated, and new discussions have been slow. Migration expert Asif Munir highlighted the lack of progress in establishing new working committees and fulfilling the conditions of older agreements. Moreover, many of these agreements fail to meet the specific needs of European countries in terms of skilled labor.
Muhammad Safiul Azam, Director of the Western Europe and EU Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, acknowledged the skill gap and emphasized the importance of signing new agreements, such as the one planned with Italy. However, he also noted that efforts to expand the market face significant hurdles. Among them, the lack of language skills, image issues, and irregular migration practices remain major challenges that prevent Bangladeshis from fully capitalizing on the opportunities available in Europe.
While opportunities for skilled workers in Germany and the UK are emerging, Bangladeshis must improve their qualifications to meet the specific demands of these markets. The need for comprehensive skill development and language training has never been more urgent for those seeking employment in Europe.
Croatia’s labor market, once an attractive destination for Bangladeshi workers, is on the verge of closure due to mounting concerns over mismanagement by recruiting agencies and illegal immigration. According to a recent letter from Croatia’s non-resident ambassador in charge, Tarek Mohammad, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, work permits and visas for Bangladeshi citizens will no longer be issued. This decision follows the discovery that a significant number of Bangladeshi workers, who had received work permits for Croatia, were either not traveling to the country or were working illegally in other Schengen countries.
In 2024, Croatia issued 12,400 work permits to Bangladeshi nationals. However, nearly 8,000 workers failed to take up their permits, and only half of the remaining 4,400 are likely working in Croatia. The European Union (EU) has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the situation, urging the Croatian government to address the illegal immigration issue. This development signals the potential closure of one of the few remaining European labor markets that offered opportunities for Bangladeshi migrants.
Meanwhile, a similar crisis is unfolding in Italy, where issues related to fake work permits and agency manipulation have led to a backlog of about 40,000 applications at the Italian embassy in Bangladesh. According to the Bangladesh Migration Development Forum, fraudulent activities by some Bangladeshi and Italian workers have complicated the situation. Many legal applicants have been left stranded after paying substantial sums, with their permits caught up in verification processes. This has fueled a growing sentiment of frustration among prospective workers who are increasingly turning to illegal migration routes.
The desire to migrate illegally has been exacerbated by a lack of legal pathways for Bangladeshi workers, with many risking dangerous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea. Tragically, many have lost their lives in the process. Between 2017 and 2024, around 700 illegal Bangladeshi migrants have returned to the country after being caught attempting to enter Europe illegally.
Shakirul Islam, Chairman of the Migrant Workers Development Program (OKAP), emphasized that Bangladesh’s failure to regulate its migration process has led to a negative perception of Bangladeshi migrants in Europe. He pointed out that improper handling by agencies and a lack of orientation for workers have contributed to the closure of labor markets, including potential deals with countries like Croatia. Islam stressed that, despite the challenges, there is a significant labor shortage in Europe, particularly in Italy, where an estimated 80% labor gap exists. He urged the government to take proactive steps to tap into these opportunities.
Gazi Md. Shahed Anwar, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, acknowledged the challenges but reassured that the ministry is working on establishing agreements, including with Italy. He stressed the importance of awareness, language skills, and technical expertise for workers, to prevent them from falling victim to unscrupulous brokers and facing uncertain futures.
With the potential closure of Croatia’s labor market and growing difficulties in other European nations, Bangladesh must address the issues within its migration system to secure new opportunities for its workers and ensure that labor migration continues in a legal and sustainable manner.
