An alarming 94 percent of Bangladeshi female workers employed abroad are victims of sexual abuse, Jamaat’s women’s reserved seat MP Mardia Mumtaz told parliament on Monday.
Mardia Mumtaz raised the issue during the question-and-answer session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal.
She said that between 2022 and 2025, over 300,000 female workers went abroad, with many facing insecurity, salary denial, contract violations, and sexual abuse.
“The safety of female workers must be a priority. We need strengthened 24-hour hotlines, safe homes, insurance benefits, and employer verification systems,” she demanded.
In response, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment State Minister Nurul Haque Nur said the government has taken various steps to protect female workers abroad.
A toll-free hotline (16135) is operational from Bangladesh, and expatriates can report complaints from abroad as well. Bangladesh embassies also provide regular assistance, he added.
The minister noted that while labour-related Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were absent with many countries in the past, new agreements are now being signed, making it easier to demand remedies for workers’ rights and workplace harassment.
Nur said Bangladesh currently operates two safe homes in Saudi Arabia, with more being established gradually in Oman and other Middle Eastern countries.
“We are now much more cautious when sending female workers abroad. They are only sent after ensuring the work environment, social protection, and ILO standards,” he said.
The number of female workers returning home after being victims of abuse has also decreased compared to previous years, the state minister added.
Discussing future plans, Nur said the government is considering forming an “Advance Pool” that would allow employers from concerned countries to directly hire workers through the ministry.
“This will reduce the role of intermediaries and increase direct oversight by the ministry,” he explained.
