Barishal, Bangladesh – Several Bangladeshi women who travelled to Saudi Arabia for domestic work are returning home only to face harrowing experiences that resemble nightmarish ordeals. Recent cases have cast a stark light on the vulnerabilities and insecurity faced by migrant domestic workers abroad.
Table of Contents
Pregnant Worker Shares Trauma
One woman, who travelled to Saudi Arabia in 2024 through a broker, endured repeated physical and sexual abuse after being transferred between four employers. She has returned to Bangladesh while pregnant and is currently staying at BRAC Learning Centre in Ashkona, Dhaka.
She recounted her ordeal, stating that she received no salary and was provided with no daily meals. Language barriers made communication with local residents impossible, and in desperation, she scavenged food from dustbins. Through a mobile app, she later discovered that her three-month salary had already been paid to her employer, yet she received nothing.
The situation deteriorated further, prompting her to flee to Medina, where she undertook casual work. Eventually, she surrendered to authorities in Mecca and was taken into police custody. It was during this time that authorities discovered she was pregnant. She was repatriated to Bangladesh in an ailing state.
Shariful Islam Hasan, Assistant Director of BRAC’s Migration Programme, expressed concern: “There is no structured system in place for women returning from abroad, which is a serious issue.”
Woman Returns with Mental Health Crisis
In another recent case, a woman returned from Saudi Arabia 13 days ago in a mentally unstable condition. Due to the absence of a passport and identification documents, her family initially could not recognise her. Her identity was later confirmed through joint efforts by the police and BRAC, after which she was reunited with her family.
Rehabilitation and Safety Challenges
Human rights advocates have emphasised the urgent need to ensure safety for women migrant workers, dismantle broker networks, and provide legal support and proper rehabilitation upon their return. They warn that without coordinated national and international measures, such distressing incidents are likely to continue.
Summary of Returned Workers’ Cases
| Information Received | Woman 1 | Woman 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Destination | Saudi Arabia | Saudi Arabia |
| Condition | Pregnant; physically & sexually abused | Mentally unstable |
| Reason for Return | Illness; police custody | Identity verification needed |
| Current Location | BRAC Learning Centre, Dhaka | With family |
| Core Issue | Lack of salary & meals; broker exploitation | Missing passport & ID documents |
These incidents underscore the urgent need for comprehensive protection mechanisms both before and after deployment abroad. Human rights organisations have called on the government to implement effective measures, curb broker networks, and ensure safe repatriation and rehabilitation for female domestic workers.
The cases make it clear that providing opportunities for overseas employment is insufficient without guaranteeing a secure return path and proper reintegration for returning women.