Urgent, Effective Measures Needed to Protect Expatriate Bangladeshis

Although tensions from the Iran-US war have eased somewhat, missile and drone attacks by Iran-backed Houthi forces in Saudi Arabia have created fresh tensions and uncertainty in the Middle East. Saudi airports and oil refineries have reportedly become targets, putting the Saudi economy at risk. Bangladeshi workers who depend on the Saudi labour market are also facing serious uncertainty.

Reports published in several newspapers, including Daily Inqilab, said Houthi attacks on Saudi airports had led to the cancellation of 82 flights from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia, leaving around 13,000 passengers stranded in the country. Most of them are migrant workers, who are a vital source of income for Bangladesh.

At a time when domestic investment is weak and employment opportunities are limited, remittances sent by expatriate workers have helped keep the country’s economy running. Protecting these workers is therefore essential to Bangladesh’s economic security. The Houthi attacks are part of the wider regional crisis in the Middle East. The situation is unlikely to change quickly without significant progress in regional diplomacy or a lasting peace initiative.

Saudi Arabia’s development plans and projects worth hundreds of billions of dollars are expected to continue. Encouragingly, Saudi authorities have taken alternative measures to protect foreign workers and help those stranded in different countries because of disruptions at Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam airports. Saudi Arabian Airlines has also taken initiatives to transport passengers to their workplaces through alternative routes.

However, the efforts of recruiting agencies or the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) alone will not be enough. Relevant government departments in Bangladesh must ensure effective communication and coordination with Saudi authorities to make the most of these arrangements.

The drone attacks on Saudi airports are not merely a security concern for Saudi Arabia. They are also a major concern for Bangladesh, as Saudi Arabia is the country’s largest overseas labour market and a major source of remittance income. More than 2.5 million Bangladeshi workers are employed there, and their earnings contribute significantly to the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

Bangladeshi workers also play an important role in Saudi Arabia’s service sector and infrastructure development. Saudi authorities need hundreds of thousands of workers to implement their ambitious development plans and prepare for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Effective communication and coordinated action are essential to ensure that stranded Bangladeshi workers can return to their workplaces as soon as possible. This is not optional. Many workers from poor families have sold their last possessions, borrowed money or taken loans in instalments to travel abroad. Others are waiting to leave. Any delay in joining their jobs or meeting employers’ requirements could put them at serious financial risk.

Government agencies must take visible steps to provide accommodation, food and alternative travel arrangements for Saudi-bound passengers stranded at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, many of whom have travelled from rural areas and different districts.

The government should establish a special committee, a monitoring cell and an emergency communication network. The committee should coordinate with Saudi authorities, employers and recruiting agencies. The Bangladesh Embassy and consular offices in Saudi Arabia, along with relevant officials at the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka, must also step up their efforts.

Bangladesh’s economic outlook is already under pressure. According to a World Bank forecast cited in the article, the country’s economic growth could fall to 3.2% in the current fiscal year and remain below 3% over the following three years. Inflation could rise to around 11%, further worsening living conditions for low-income households as prices rise and purchasing power declines.

Under these circumstances, any disruption in the Saudi labour market could have serious consequences for Bangladesh’s economy and people’s livelihoods. The BNP-led government is already struggling to rebuild the fragile economy. However, progress is possible through efforts to prevent money laundering, combat corruption and implement investment-friendly policies.

Bangladesh’s energy security, overseas employment and broader economic interests depend heavily on developments in the Middle East. The government must take responsibility for workers stranded by flight cancellations and arrange alternative routes to their workplaces. Special arrangements should be made for workers whose iqama (residence permit) is at risk of expiring.

Most of these workers come from poor rural families and cannot afford to remain in Dhaka for long periods while waiting for flights. Their circumstances must be considered when providing emergency assistance. Through a dedicated monitoring cell, the government should coordinate all parties and ensure timely information and support.

It must also provide diplomatic, legal and financial assistance to protect workers’ employment and safeguard the country’s interests. If these remittance earners suffer, Bangladesh could face substantial economic losses. A coordinated response is essential to overcome the crisis and protect the livelihoods of migrant workers.