BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

FEMALE WORKFORCE MIGRATION FROM BANGLADESH: SOURCES OF VULNERABILITY AND WAYS AHEAD

Author: Benuka Ferdousi

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2021v42n2a5

ABSTRACT

Female workforce migration is a comparatively new phenomenon in Bangladesh. Like elsewhere, female workforce migration from Bangladesh has been associated with several concerns ranging from long working hours to sexual abuse. It is in this context that the paper aims to identify the sources of vulnerability of Bangladeshi female migrant workers abroad with a view to find ways ahead. The paper finds that vulnerabilities of Bangladeshi female migrant workers fall in two broad categories – internal and situational. Internal vulnerabilities originate from gender, age, and lack of capacity which includes low level of education and skill and lack of adaptive skills including food and language. These capacity related vulnerabilities, particularly the low level of education and skill reinforces their situational vulnerabilities through limiting their choice of jobs. On the other hand, situational vulnerability arises mainly from their type of jobs and destinations. The paper also finds that outright ban on female workforce migration might not solve the problem and such ban will also go against the will of the female migrants themselves. The paper suggests taking steps aimed at improving the composition of the female migrants and thereby improving their capacity and bringing in change in the type of jobs and destinations.