Bangladesh’s migration landscape has seen a significant shift with skilled jobs, particularly in accounting, now emerging as a major driver of overseas employment.
In a recent report by Ami Probashi, an organization dealing with overseas issues, has highlighted that for the first time, accounting has entered the top ten professions for Bangladeshi migrants, with nearly 13,000 accountants traveling abroad between January and June 2024. This growth reflects an increasing demand for skilled workers and a positive trend in the country’s labor market.
Over 500,000 workers migrated during the first half of 2024, with Saudi Arabia remaining the most popular destination for approximately 250,000 of these migrants, the report said.
Malaysia and Qatar follow, with nearly 93,000 and 39,517 migrants, respectively. Notably, 80% of these migrant workers fall into the ‘general’ skill category, which includes a mix of both skilled and unskilled labor, while skilled professionals account for 10.4% of the total, including roles such as software developers.
Ami Probashi’s findings suggest a promising shift in the workforce from unskilled to skilled migration, attributed to increased investments in education and vocational training. This trend enhances the employability of Bangladeshi workers and reflects a more informed and versatile labor market.
Despite the rising number of migrant workers, the participation of women in this workforce remains low, accounting for only 6% of the total, with the majority taking on roles as housemaids (13,190).
The migration trends also reveal regional disparities, with Dhaka sending the highest number of migrants at 121,520, followed by Chattogram (91,530), Khulna (37,290), and Rajshahi (35,660). Mymensingh sent 26,010 workers abroad, while Sylhet had 17,380 migrants, and the northern division of Rangpur reported the lowest number at 14,410.
The report indicates that during this period, 183,274 individual visa types were issued, alongside 28,223 group visas and 24,638 self-acquired visas.
The increase in self-acquired visas is particularly noteworthy, showing a dramatic rise compared to previous months, where such visas accounted for less than 1% of total processed visas.
This shift is attributed to the success of the Ami Probashi app, which streamlines visa processing and reduces reliance on intermediaries, thus minimizing fraud and harassment risks.
Additionally, the report mentions the opening of new markets, especially in Europe, with 20,000 new visa approvals expected in Italy by November 2024. This development is anticipated to provide further opportunities for Bangladeshi workers as migration trends evolve.
While the overall migration scenario shows many positives, the challenges of ensuring transparent, cost-effective, and swift migration processes remain. Digital solutions like Ami Probashi are crucial in addressing these challenges and empowering migrants to navigate the complexities of the overseas job market effectively.
