They also called for disseminating proper information in the decision making stage of women outbound workers so that they do not face unwanted situation at their work places in foreign countries.

The virtual programme was jointly organised by Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF), Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Drishti Research Centre (DRC).

Also read: Experts for sending more skilled female workers abroad

Delivering keynote presentation, economist and RAPID chairman MA Razzaque said the size of labour force is 63.5 million in the country. Of them, 20 million are female.

“The unemployed labour force is 2.7 million. Additional 2 million jobs need to be created every year in Bangladesh. Among the unemployed labour force, 3.1% is male and 6.7% female,” he added.

Razzaque said the employment opportunity for women workers in readymade garment sector has declined in recent days. “So, international migration is a good option for creating more job scope for women workers,” he said.

Also read: Safe migration of female workers demanded

Social Anthropologist Madame Thérèse Blanchet shared the findings of a survey titled ‘Migration and Gender in Bangladesh: An Irregular Landscape’ that measures and compares women and men’s participation in labour migration sector of Bangladesh.

“Female outbound workers spend lower migration cost than that of male migrant workers from Bangladesh. But the number of outflow of female workers abroad is much lower than that of male workers,” she said.

According to her findings, about 14% of the women migrated without paying any fees to the recruiting agency. This practically never occurred for male migrant workers. Again, 4.5% of women paid up to Tk 10,000 but no male worker was found in this category. 

Also read: KSA to take steps for female workers’ safety: Secy

“Considerably lower costs for women make migration an attractive proposition. There are risks and pitfalls abroad but most women willing to migrate consider the benefits worth taking the risks,” Blanchet added.      

Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, secretary of the Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment ministry and Igor Bosc, chief technical advisor, work in Freedom, ILO attended the event. ERF General Secretary SM Rashidul Islam moderated the event and President Sharmeen Rinvy chaired the event.