Protection and Policy Issues of the Female Migrant Workers in Bangladesh: Reflections from the Field

Abstract

This paper starts with a short story of some female migrants who are slum dwellers in Tangail, Bangladesh. The story synthesizes reflections on their lived experiences with poverty, migration, and policy issues, and sheds light on the protection challenges faced by female migrants. In this way, the paper analyses the policy initiatives, outlines the policy gaps, and draws recommendations to address the protection concerns of female migrants, aiming to create a positive link between migration and poverty alleviation, so that the outcomes of migration contribute to sustainable development. By taking the steps outlined in this paper, the Government of Bangladesh will be able to increase the protection of Bangladeshi female migrants at home and abroad.

Social Science Review [The Dhaka University Studies, Part-D], Vol. 43, No.1, June 2026, pp. 305-322.