The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported in a recent report that about half of Bangladeshi migrants to Libya transit Turkey on their journey.
A survey conducted by the organization, presented in the report “Bangladeshi Citizens in Libya,” revealed that migration from Bangladesh to Libya is driven by economic motivations, with a significant percentage of migrants being unemployed.
The report documented interviews with 405 Bangladeshi workers residing in Libya during 2023, and the data showed a slight increase in the number of Bangladeshis residing from 20,351 in 2021 to 21,134 by June 2024, with 11% of them planning to leave for other countries.
The report indicates that the vast majority of Bangladeshis in Libya, who represent 98% of males and 2% of females, work in the construction, cleaning and hospitality sectors.
Last year, 1,668 Bangladeshis attempting to cross the Mediterranean were intercepted and returned, indicating a significant decrease compared to previous years.
According to reports from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), about 1,300 Bangladeshi migrants voluntarily returned from Libya to their country during the first half of 2024. These increases in numbers are due to the difficult conditions for migrants in Libya, including detention and ill-treatment by smugglers.
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