A SOCIO-ECONOMIC survey conducted in 2024 on the well-being of 300 returnee migrants in two districts and four upazilas presents a troubling account of the challenges they face in rebuilding their lives. The micro-study reveals family, financial, occupational and social difficulties that collectively undermine reintegration prospects. In family-related matters, 23.18 per cent of respondents reported being unable to afford proper medical treatment for relatives, 15.58 per cent faced conflict among siblings and 9 per cent could not meet the educational costs of family members. A further 6.6 per cent were in financial crisis due to irregular employment, 5.48 per cent said relatives had failed to repay loans and 4.18 per cent were involved in land-related civil cases. In business, financial and occupational matters, the problems are even more acute: 71 per cent reported severe financial distress, 33.7 per cent lacked regular work, 15.4 per cent had fallen into debt, 7.15 per cent could not obtain the job or work they desired and 5.3 per cent were unable to work because of physical illness.
The survey also exposes a significant social dimension to these difficulties. About 14.85 per cent of respondents reported problems with voter ID cards and birth registration, 13.9 per cent were burdened by high commodity prices, 12.28 per cent faced marital or family problems and 10.5 per cent had been victims of robbery or extortion. Theft or burglary affected 9.58 per cent, while 11.2 per cent reported unexpected financial demands from close relatives. Critically, 65.7 per cent of respondents said they had no savings after returning from abroad. Only 14 per cent had savings of Tk 2鈥�3 lakh, 10 per cent between Tk 4鈥�5 lakh, 3.7 per cent between Tk 6鈥�7 lakh, and just 2.3 per cent had Tk 8 lakh or more. The average amount saved, Tk 403,328, highlights how little returnees have managed to accumulate despite years of remittance work. In Homna, 73.3 per cent had no savings, compared with 61.3 per cent in both Madhupur and Tangail and 60 per cent in Daudkandi. Around 54.3 per cent of respondents invested what little savings they had into small businesses鈥�44 per cent in Madhupur, 60 per cent in Daudkandi, 49.3 per cent in Homna and 44 per cent in Tangail Sadar. But 63.3 per cent stated they had returned home with insufficient funds to establish sustainable ventures, while 27 per cent cited the absence of a secure business environment as a major barrier.
The amounts invested were modest: 17.7 per cent of returnees put between Tk 1鈥�1.5 lakh into business enterprises, only 2.3 per cent could invest 10 lakh or more, 9 per cent invested between Tk 3.1鈥�9 lakh, 6.7 per cent invested Tk 2.1鈥�3 lakh, 7.3 per cent Tk 1.6鈥�2 lakh, and 11.3 per cent less than Tk 1 lakh. Business losses were attributed overwhelmingly to lack of understanding or experience (93.7 per cent), compounded by extortion by relatives or local elites (53.7 per cent), an inability to grasp the complexity of business operations (53.3 per cent), dishonest business partners (37.3 per cent) and antagonism from local influentials (12.7 per cent).
Government support for returnee migrants is alarmingly scarce. According to the survey, 89.1 per cent of respondents received no form of state assistance. Tangail Sadar showed a relatively better outcome, with 26.7 per cent reporting some government help, followed by Madhupur at 12 per cent, Daudkandi at 2.7 per cent and Homna at just 2.3 per cent. Although the RAISE project has sought to support returnees since 2015, 84.7 per cent of respondents said they currently face a shortage of ready cash as their main problem, 26.3 per cent cited lack of work, 6.1 per cent were indebted, 2.3 per cent were troubled by higher commodity prices and 1.2 per cent suffered physical illness. Across the four study areas, this scenario of financial crisis and joblessness remains consistent, cutting across district lines.
Governments and related agencies must now take targeted and sustained measures to enable returnee migrants to turn their hard-earned foreign income into long-term stability. Training and counselling services should help them manage and invest remittances wisely. A comprehensive resource centre at both central and district levels could provide critical information and guidance to returnees, supporting them in business planning, financial literacy and enterprise development. International organisations such as the ILO should be engaged to arrange awareness campaigns, promote safe migration, and provide refresher training for semi-skilled workers seeking either re-employment abroad or more secure domestic livelihoods. Policy measures should also include SME loan schemes, vocational programmes and entrepreneurship advice to help returnees start viable businesses in Bangladesh.
Skill development is central to the solution. Expanding vocational training will not only meet rising global demand for skilled workers but also enhance productivity and earning potential at home. Access to credit through banks and microfinance institutions must be broadened to support investment in small enterprises, including agro-based projects such as poultry, cattle rearing and fisheries. The success of microfinance institutions in mobilising savings and extending collateral-free loans suggests they can play a vital role in supporting returnees. Lessons from neighbouring labour-sending countries that have implemented effective reintegration programmes should be studied and adapted to the Bangladeshi context. Government and non-government collaboration is essential to assist returnees and their families in establishing sustainable livelihoods.
For long-term reintegration, Bangladesh urgently requires a comprehensive database of returnee migrants to guide effective policy intervention. The Ministry of Expatriates鈥� Welfare and Overseas Employment must lead in coordination with other ministries to implement the provisions of the National Reintegration Policy for Migrants 2024. This framework outlines well-planned and integrated measures for the economic and social reintegration of returnees. Emphasis should be placed on skill upgrading, access to credit, business counselling and the creation of a secure business environment. By capitalising on the skills, knowledge and experience of its migrant workers, Bangladesh can transform return migration into a driver of development rather than a source of social distress. Without such strategic planning, however, migrants will continue to return home to uncertainty, unable to translate years of hard work abroad into financial security, productive employment and improved living standards.
听
Dr Md Moniruzzaman is a professor of Bangladesh Institute of Governance and Management and a former additional secretary to the Government of Bangladesh.
