The Impact of the Asian Crisis on Migrant Workers: Bangladesh Perspectives

Abstract

This paper addresses the impact of the recent Asian financial crisis on migration in Bangladesh. The crisis has stemmed the outflow of migrant workers to the affected countries but also diversified the flows as well as sparked rising return migration. Remittances and foreign exchange reserves are likely to be adversely affected. Irregular migration towards more diversified but less remunerative pockets has increased. What is more disconcerting is the increasing trend in the ranks of the already sizable unemployed. The government should gear up retraining, rehabilitation and reintegration measures. Insurance schemes and other safety nets may be introduced to meet unforeseen crisis. Migration is a humanitarian issue. It has to be addressed through a sensible legal regime where interests of both the sending and receiving countries could be accommodated.