29 April 2013
Emergency return of Bangladeshi migrants from Libya (NTS WP No. 9)
Abstract
Few studies have been done on the vulnerabilities faced by migrants during events such as civil war, regime change or a global financial crisis. This NTS Working Paper presents the results of a research project that aims to address this gap. The study examines the case of Bangladeshi migrant workers who were forced to return to the Bangladesh because of the turmoil in Libya in 2011. Using data from surveys and interviews, this study provides a picture of their entire migration experience, from point of preparing for migration to the specific threats and challenges they faced as a result of the crisis in Libya. Its findings suggest that the burden of such events fall disproportionately to migrants and their families. It therefore recommends that the global migration regime should be reviewed, with issues of sharing of burden and risks by destination countries and employers given greater priority.
Abstract
Few studies have been done on the vulnerabilities faced by migrants during events such as civil war, regime change or a global financial crisis. This NTS Working Paper presents the results of a research project that aims to address this gap. The study examines the case of Bangladeshi migrant workers who were forced to return to the Bangladesh because of the turmoil in Libya in 2011. Using data from surveys and interviews, this study provides a picture of their entire migration experience, from point of preparing for migration to the specific threats and challenges they faced as a result of the crisis in Libya. Its findings suggest that the burden of such events fall disproportionately to migrants and their families. It therefore recommends that the global migration regime should be reviewed, with issues of sharing of burden and risks by destination countries and employers given greater priority.
