Summary:
- Croatia has decided to stop issuing work permits to Bangladeshi workers due to violations of recruitment agreements and unauthorized migration.
- In 2024, Croatia issued 12,400 permits to Bangladeshi workers, but 8,000 never arrived, and many used permits to migrate illegally to other Schengen countries.
- The EU has criticized these irregularities, urging Croatia to address the issue, which could harm Bangladesh’s reputation as a labor-exporting nation.
- The Bangladesh Embassy has recommended drafting a workforce cooperation agreement to resolve the issue and maintain access to the Croatian labor market.
The Croatian government has decided to stop issuing work permits to Bangladeshi workers following allegations of agreement violations by recruitment agencies, according to a letter from the Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague dated January 23. The move comes amid concerns over irregularities and unauthorized migration, which have drawn criticism from the European Union.
In 2024, Croatia issued 12,400 work permits and visas to Bangladeshi workers. However, the embassy revealed that 8,000 workers never arrived in Croatia, while only half of the remaining 4,400 are currently employed in the country. Many workers reportedly used their Croatian permits to migrate illegally to other Schengen nations, prompting scrutiny from EU authorities.
The Bangladesh Embassy warned that this development could harm Bangladesh’s reputation as a reliable source of overseas labor. “This issue could soon appear in Croatian media, potentially damaging Bangladesh’s image,” the embassy stated. Currently, an estimated 6,000-7,000 Bangladeshi workers are employed in Croatia, primarily in construction, restaurants, and food delivery sectors.
Despite these challenges, the embassy highlighted that working conditions and benefits in Croatia are favorable compared to other EU countries. To address the situation and safeguard this labor market, the embassy has recommended drafting a workforce cooperation agreement between Bangladesh and Croatia. “This will enable us to show that Bangladesh is taking steps to prevent such irregularities,” the letter emphasized.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is reportedly taking action on the matter. MoFA spokesperson Rafiqul Alam confirmed that steps are being taken to resolve the issue and maintain access to the Croatian labor market. Efforts to prevent irregular migration are deemed essential for preserving Bangladesh’s reputation in global employment markets and ensuring continued opportunities for its workforce abroad.
Source: TBS News
