On International Migrants Day, we celebrate the contribution and the resilience of the millions of migrant workers who are and have been a cornerstone of our economy.

Especially during the most difficult times for this country, such as the Covid-19 pandemic or after the events of the Monsoon Revolution last year, it is their remittances, which exceeded $30 billion in the last fiscal year, that sustained households and helped keep the national economy from collapsing. 

There is no question that when migration is safe, orderly, and dignified, it becomes a powerful driver of progress, enriching cultures and building prosperity alike. While in the story of our migrant workers lies hope, there has always been a darker reality, where they often endure terrible working conditions in their host countries along with a shocking lack of support from the relevant authorities in Bangladesh. 

However, it is the thousands of Bangladeshis who attempt perilous journeys to Europe through irregular channels, often across the Mediterranean, that has been most damaging. Driven by desperation and the lure of opportunity, far too many never reach their destination, with their dreams swallowed by the sea. 

Such tragedies are recurring reminders of the human cost of illegal migration, a cost that Bangladesh in particular continues to bear. Illegal migration usually means exploitation, danger, and death, and it is an issue for our nation that needs immediate attention. 

Beyond enforcement to put a halt to these illegal migration attempts, the uncomfortable truth lies in the root causes for these attempts -- limited employment opportunities at home and the promise of a better, more dignified existence across the seas. 

If we are serious about rebuilding this nation and truly making progress, then no Bangladeshi should feel that risking their life on a boat to Europe is the best solution. Migration must be a choice for people and not a necessity that is born out of despair that people are risking their lives over.