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, authorities have restricted such gatherings,” he said. “There are thousands of daily wage workers like us who are suffering.”
Bangladeshi businesses in the Gulf are also struggling. “Be it clothing shops or construction work, every business is affected. There are almost no tourists in the thriving tourism industry of Bahrain,” said Shafi Sarwar, a Bangladeshi businessman in Manama.
The Middle East hosts some 70 lakh Bangladeshi migrants, according to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training (BMET).
But overseas employment has dropped sharply in recent months. BMET data shows emigration clearance fell from 95,095 in January to 65,634 in February, and further to 44,661 in March.
In 2025, more than 80 percent of over one million Bangladeshi migrants went to the Middle East, which accounted for around 60 percent of the country’s $32 billion remittance.
Sharmin Akhter, 26, of Satkhira secured work visas for Jordan on February 27 and was supposed to fly in the first week of March.
“I am unable to fly and join work because my agency could not buy an air ticket,” she told this newspaper yesterday. “Now I’m worried over the uncertainty created by the war.”
Ali Haider Chowdhury, former secretary general of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, said many workers who had received clearance are now also reluctant to travel due to security concerns.
“Employers are naturally hesitant to issue visas amid the business slowdown,” he said, warning that remittance inflows could be affected.
Shakirul Islam, chairman of the Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme, stressed that immediate attention must be given to migrants affected by the crisis.
“A significant number of Bangladeshi migrants are daily wage earners with irregular work. They are bearing the brunt of the crisis,” he said.
Field reports suggest many have lost jobs or seen incomes fall sharply, with some struggling to afford food and shelter after being displaced, he said, urging Bangladesh missions in the Gulf to provide emergency support.
Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said higher energy import costs due to the Middle East crisis are already straining Bangladesh’s economy.
“If overseas employment declines due to a prolonged conflict, it will further aggravate economic challenges,” she said. “Migrant families would suffer from reduced income and job losses.”
Each year, over 20 lakh youths enter the job market, of whom about 10 lakh seek jobs abroad, while only around one lakh are absorbed into formal employment.
“With private investment already low, a decline in overseas jobs would create a double burden for the employment sector,” Fahmida said.
She emphasised diplomatic engagement with Gulf countries to protect migrant jobs and ensure support during the crisis.
Fahmida also recommended seeking assistance from international organisations and bilateral partners and creating a special fund for migrant workers to support evacuation and reintegration if necessary.
