False Promises Abroad Trap Bangladeshi Workers as Trafficking Cases Rise
Today, July 30, marks World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. This year’s theme is “Trapped Behind the Scam.” Thousands of Bangladeshi job seekers are falling victim to human traffickers. They face false promises of work abroad.
Trafficking networks use social media to lure people. They promise good jobs overseas. But these promises are often fake. Traffickers collect large sums of money. Then, workers find no jobs when they arrive. Many migrants face abuse, exploitation, and detention. This has caused human trafficking to increase. It often happens under the name of labor migration.
Bangladeshis are the largest group trying to reach Italy by sea. They also arrive in Greece this way. Migration experts say workers often go to Libya first. Many are held in camps there. They face torture and extortion. Families must pay millions of Taka for their release. In March, 18 Bangladeshis died crossing from Libya to Greece.
BRAC reported that 20,259 Bangladeshis entered Europe by sea in 2025. Another 4,249 reached Italy in the first half of 2026. 3,608 others went to Greece from Libya by sea.
Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs reported 1,126 new trafficking cases in 2025. A total of 5,284 cases were pending by May 2026. This includes older cases. Many cases are under trial or investigation.
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the government is fighting trafficking. Licenses of 49 recruiting agencies were cancelled. These agencies sent workers to Malaysia illegally. Licenses of three agencies sending workers to Russia were also cancelled. The Minister stressed the need for vigilance from both Bangladesh and destination countries.
Russia is a new labor market. But traffickers send workers there under false pretenses. Many end up in the Russia-Ukraine war. Jahangir Alam from Lakshmipur was one such victim. He was sent to Russia as a cook. Instead, he was forced to fight on the frontline. He escaped after seven months with embassy help.
Cambodia is another risky destination. People are promised call center jobs. Instead, they are forced into online fraud. Police there recently closed these scam centers. This led to 583 Bangladeshi workers returning in June. BRAC found 98% of returnees found no jobs. 90% were forced into online fraud. Many suffered abuse and lost their passports.
Between 2020 and 2024, 94-95% of accused traffickers were acquitted. This was across 4,427 cases. Experts say this lack of punishment allows trafficking to continue. Shariful Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC, said trafficking now uses job advertisements. People want to leave the country at any cost. This makes them easy targets. Mr. Hasan also noted that traffickers rarely receive strong punishment.
