Under Asif Nazrul, the ministry has granted new licences to 252 recruiting agencies.

Bangladesh is grappling with a growing controversy in its overseas labour export sector. Widespread illegal departures, failure to return after visa expiry and even forged documentation by would‑be migrants have become serious national concerns. Central to these problems, analysts say, are recruiting agencies – whose influence has grown dramatically in recent years.

During the tenure of the now‑ousted Awami League government, critics charged that the sector became a source of substantial illicit earnings and deep‑seated corruption. Specific allegations were levelled against senior political figures, including the then Minister of Finance, suggesting complicity in unsound practices within the recruitment industry. These persistent issues have also narrowed legitimate avenues for Bangladeshis seeking work abroad.

When the interim government assumed office last year, many expected robust reform, improved governance and tighter oversight of the industry. However, hopes for dramatic improvement have yet to materialise. In fact, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Foreign Employment, overseen by Adviser Asif Nazrul, recently issued ** licences to an additional 252 recruiting agencies**, prompting fresh debate among experts and civil society.

Recruiting Agency Numbers and Remittance: Key Statistics

Surge in Licensing: Reform or Regression?

Historically, Bangladesh maintained roughly 850–900 recruiting agencies. By the end of the previous Awami League government, this figure had swelled to about 2,300. The interim government’s recent approval of 252 new licences—announced on 4 November last year—has drawn censure from migration specialists and policy analysts.

In its December 2024 economic white paper, the government’s own committee recommended substantially reducing the number of agencies to improve governance, transparency and accountability. Yet the surge in new licences appears at odds with this guidance.

Experts argue that fewer, better regulated agencies are essential to prevent human trafficking, enhance financial transparency and curb malpractice. With almost all agencies headquartered in Dhaka and reliant on sub‑agents across the country, gaps in oversight have allowed fraudulent practices to flourish. These intermediaries frequently deflect blame onto each other, frustrating enforcement efforts.

Former recruiting association official Fakhrul Islam defended the licensing process, noting that applicants undergo criteria‑based scrutiny before approval. He also suggested that geographically diverse agency networks could help expand labour market access abroad. Still, he cautioned that without expansion into new labour markets, simply increasing licence numbers would not yield meaningful benefits.

Consequences for Migrants and the National Image

According to a recent International Organization for Migration (IOM) report, in 2025 approximately 22,145 Bangladeshis entered Europe irregularly via sea routes—up from 15,304 the previous year. Most of these journeys were facilitated by unscrupulous brokers, placing migrants at grave risk of trafficking and exploitation.

Domestic records show that between 2019 and January 2025, 4,546 human trafficking cases were filed, implicating 19,280 individuals. Yet only 157 have been convicted, including 24 life sentences.

Migrants themselves shoulder significant costs. The white paper indicates that 19% of those who paid agents or brokers did not make it abroad, resulting in estimated financial losses of around USD 259 million over the past decade.

Government Position and Industry Outlook

Senior Secretary Dr Neamat Ulla Bhuiyan maintains that licensing reflects policy decisions rather than bureaucratic whims. He argues that a larger number of ethically operated agencies could reduce syndicate formation and support Bangladesh’s drive to access new labour markets.

Nevertheless, critics stress that issuing licences without rigorous evaluation of existing agencies’ performance undermines reform. Migration expert Asif Munir warns that dependency on external technology providers for systems like the new online employment platform increases vulnerability to manipulation and defeats transparency goals.

While overseas workers continue to remit record sums, significant improvements in governance, worker protection and accountability remain elusive. The debate over the proper size and oversight of Bangladesh’s recruiting agency sector is far from settled.