Govt restricts emigration clearance for workers heading to 12 countries

The government has instructed recruiting agencies not to issue emigration clearance to workers travelling to 12 countries for employment without prior approval from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

The countries are Serbia, Moldova, Belarus, Kosovo, Bosnia, Japan, Iraq, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Ukraine and Libya.

The Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira) informed its member agencies of the directive in a letter issued yesterday (4 November), following instructions from the ministry.

Under the directive, agencies must ensure that workers have the ministry’s recruitment permission or approval before issuing emigration clearance for employment in any of the 12 countries.

The measure is intended to protect aspiring migrant workers from fraud, exploitation and human trafficking, particularly in destinations where employment offers may carry risks.

The authorities have advised workers to verify the recruitment process, government approval and emigration clearance before making financial transactions or finalising plans to travel abroad.

They have also stressed that having a visa or receiving a job offer through a recruiting agency does not, by itself, guarantee safe and legal migration.

Workers should verify the employer’s identity, the authenticity of the job offer, employment contracts, salary and benefits, visa category and required government approvals before departure.

Particular concerns have emerged over Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, where reports of online fraud and forced confinement in scam compounds have drawn international attention.

Several Bangladeshis have reportedly faced fraud, exploitation, confinement and human trafficking after travelling to these countries on promises of employment.

The authorities have urged aspiring migrant workers to exercise caution over job offers in these destinations and avoid making decisions based solely on promises from brokers or intermediaries.

They have advised workers to ensure that their recruitment is legal, government-approved and safe before proceeding with overseas employment.