Driven by dreams of a better future and the hope of economic stability for their families, thousands of Bangladeshi women have migrated abroad as domestic workers. However, a distressing pattern of exploitation and abuse has emerged, highlighting a serious human rights crisis. Recent statistics reveal that over the past seven years, at least 70,000 women have returned to Bangladesh from overseas, many having suffered physical, psychological, or sexual abuse.
A woman from Kurigram went to Saudi Arabia as a domestic worker, only to be sexually assaulted by her employer and become pregnant. Fearing for her life, she sought refuge at the Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh and returned home two months later. Another woman from Rangpur, compelled by her husband’s death and poverty, went abroad, only to face abuse from household members as well as men outside her employer’s home. In Jessore, a woman reported being sexually exploited by her employer, his son, and the son’s friends.
Overseas Female Workers and Returnees
Data from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) indicates that over one million Bangladeshi women are currently employed abroad. BRAC’s Migration Programme reports that at least 70,000 women have returned over the past seven years, with over 800 arriving deceased. The Ministry of Home Affairs notes that more than 6,000 women fell victim to trafficking between 2012 and 2025.
| Year | Women Returned (Airport Data) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 3,144 | Returned as captives |
| 2020 | 49,022 | During COVID-19 pandemic |
| 2021 | 1,811 | Returned for various reasons |
| 2022 | 6,029 | Multiple causes |
| 2023 | 2,916 | Returned home |
| 2024 | 3,375 | Victims of abuse |
| 2025 | 1,891 | Captive and exploited |
Bangladeshi women first went abroad for domestic work in 1991, with numbers increasing steadily from 2004. By 2013, more than 50,000 women were migrating annually, and after the Saudi labour agreement in 2015, over 100,000 women have been sent overseas each year.
Experiences of Returnees
Returned women recount extreme physical and psychological abuse, sexual exploitation, excessive workloads, inadequate food, and unpaid wages. BRAC has provided psychological support to at least 121 women who suffered mental trauma.
Rizia Begum from Moulvibazar went to Saudi Arabia six years ago. After enduring severe abuse, she was rescued in February 2026 at Dhaka airport in a psychologically distressed state. With the assistance of BRAC and the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), she was reunited with her family.
A letter from the Saudi embassy reports that three to four women seek refuge daily due to overwork and abuse. According to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare, 35% of women return having suffered physical or sexual abuse, while 44% do not receive regular wages.
Urgent Need for Women’s Protection
BRAC’s Associate Director, Shariful Hasan, emphasises that the primary experiences of abused female workers abroad include work and wage disputes, physical abuse, and sexual exploitation. These women are often left vulnerable without state support. The upcoming International Women’s Day on 8 March, themed “Rights, Justice, and Initiative for Every Woman”, highlights the critical importance of women’s protection and justice.
The experiences of returnee women underscore the urgent need for comprehensive safety measures, proper training, and legal protection for Bangladeshi women before they seek employment abroad.