Prior to delivering the memorandum, the organisation staged a human chain protest outside the National Press Club at 12:30 pm on Sunday, 25 October. Rallying under the banners “Safety for Workers Abroad” and “We Demand Answers for Abuse and Executions”, representatives called on the government to strengthen safety frameworks for overseas personnel, thoroughly investigate reports of workplace abuse, and establish synchronized mechanisms among relevant authorities to support citizens stranded overseas.

Speaking at the rally, Mostofa Monon, convener of Probas, writer, and filmmaker, stressed the state’s obligation to ensure proper legal defense for Bangladeshi nationals facing judicial proceedings abroad. He asserted that every citizen subject to foreign trial deserves transparent proceedings and active legal assistance managed by diplomatic missions.

Anand Kutum, activist and member secretary of the organisation, highlighted the severe abuse suffered by female migrant workers, particularly in the Middle East. He revealed that 980 female workers had returned from Saudi Arabia over the past nine months after experiencing extreme physical and mental abuse, with several returning pregnant under distressing circumstances. Kutum urged the state to provide financial compensation to affected victims and guarantee official state recognition and support for children born of these situations, while pursuing long-term remedies through international diplomatic forums.

Dr Trina Islam, a physician and coordinator at Probas, called for a thorough audit into the performance of foreign embassies, arguing that diplomatic missions must be held accountable for how effectively they assist citizens facing hardship. Media Coordinator and journalist Hasnat Qadir reminded authorities of the vital contribution migrant workers make to the national economy through remittances, warning that the state must not view its diaspora merely as economic revenue sources while neglecting their basic constitutional protections.

Demonstrators demanded impartial inquiries into incidents of harassment and physical abuse, alongside fair judicial processes in cases involving severe penalties such as capital punishment. Speakers emphasized that migrant workers form a core pillar of Bangladesh’s economic stability, making their physical safety and legal welfare an imperative responsibility of the state.

Probas, which engages in legal aid, worker training, policy research, and public advocacy, confirmed that identical memorandums will be submitted to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment as well as the Chief Adviser’s Office.

The demonstration was jointly organised alongside the South Asian Accountability Network for Democracy (SAND), a regional network advocating for democratic governance and institutional transparency, with research support provided by the medical research entity The Scholaro.