Govt acts against 2 agencies after families allege workers sent to Russian military camps

The government has taken action against two recruiting agencies following allegations that 30 Bangladeshi workers were trafficked to Russia under false promises of jobs and later taken to military training camps.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment locked the recruitment licences of RS International (RL-1428) and TS Overseas (RL-1755) today (24 May) after receiving complaints from the victims’ families, confirmed AZM Nurul Haque, head of the Enforcement and Monitoring Wing of the ministry.

Another accused agency, Jabale Noor International (RL-2505), had already been under licence suspension.

The development came as family members of the workers formed a human chain in front of the ministry today, demanding immediate government intervention to bring their relatives back safely.

According to the families, the workers travelled to Russia on 7 May after being promised construction and factory jobs. However, after arriving there, they were allegedly taken to military training camps instead of workplaces.

The victims reportedly travelled through the three agencies after obtaining clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) and completing official migration procedures.

Speaking during the protest, Rina Begum, mother of victim Ripon Hossain, said her son and his friend travelled to Russia on construction worker visas arranged through an agency.

“We spoke with him for three to four days after he arrived in Russia. After that, communication stopped. Later we learned they were taken to military training camps in the name of work,” she alleged.

“If they are to be rescued, it has to happen while they are still in training. Otherwise, it may become impossible to bring them back,” she added.

Another family member, Raihan Kabir, questioned how the workers became victims of alleged fraud despite travelling abroad through official channels.

“Everyone here received BMET clearance before going abroad. That means the agencies sent them through legal procedures approved by the authorities. Then how did they become victims of trafficking?” he said.

He also alleged that the companies under whose names the workers were sent to Russia do not actually exist there.