For many families in Jhenaidah, the dream of working abroad begins with hope and ends in silence.

In villages across the district, remittances from overseas workers remain a vital source of income.

But, as unemployment persists and opportunities at home remain scarce, that dream is increasingly being exploited by broker syndicates and trafficking networks, leaving families burdened with debt, grief and unanswered questions.

Despite completing higher education, many young people in the district say they are unable to secure the jobs they aspire to in Bangladesh.

Overseas employment appears to offer a way out of hardship. Instead, for some, it has brought tragedy.

Missing Without a Trace

At Bonkira village of Jhenaidah Sadar upazila, Shah Alam Siddique Imon travelled to Egypt through a broker. He worked there for some time, according to his family. But for the past three months, they say, there has been no trace of him.

They allege that the brokers involved have failed to provide any information about his whereabouts.

At the same village, Shahana Khatun recounts a similar ordeal.

She said she spent Tk 6.5 lakh a year ago to send her son Emon to Egypt, where he reportedly worked at a garment factory. Initially, they remained in regular contact. Then the calls stopped.

For three months, she says, she has heard nothing. Instead of answers, she alleges the broker is now demanding more money.

Allegations of Torture and Death

At Khudra Royera village in Shailkupa upazila, Sohag Molla was allegedly sent to Cambodia through a broker. His family claims he was subjected to torture there and he later died.

Due to financial constraints, they have not yet been able to repatriate his body.

Local sources say at least six other youths from the same village are also missing in Cambodia.

Billal Molla, Sohag’s father, said he spent Tk 5 lakh eight months ago to send his son abroad through a local agent who had promised a monthly salary of Tk 1.5 lakh.

After arriving overseas, Sohag informed his family by phone that he was being tortured regularly. Later, they learned that he had been killed. His body has yet to be brought home.

Exploiting Poverty

Altaf Hossain, Chairman of Madhuhati Union, said poverty in the area is being systematically exploited.

Brokers, he claimed, promise lucrative jobs in the Middle East and Europe to educated and semi-educated youths alike.

He alleged that more than a hundred brokers are active in different upazilas of the district, operating under at least 30 trafficking networks.

Residents also allege that some dishonest travel agency representatives are involved, collecting several lakh taka through illegal means.

In many cases, families lack valid financial documents, making it difficult to pursue legal remedies.

Human rights activist Babul Kundu said the large sums of money allegedly siphoned off by brokers and travel agencies across the country could otherwise contribute to major infrastructure development.

“Innocent rural families are losing everything after falling into their trap,” he said.

Law Enforcement Response

Police say the issue has come to their attention.

Sheikh Billal Hossain, Additional Superintendent of Jhenaidah Police, said a defrauded youth was recently brought back from Cambodia.

He, however, acknowledged that without greater awareness at the local level, it would be difficult to fully curb such crimes.

He urged affected families to submit written complaints, assuring them that legal action would be taken against those involved in human trafficking.

For many families in Jhenaidah, however, justice remains uncertain — and the cost of hope has already proved devastating.