Migrant workers become vulnerable to communicable diseases including HIV due to lack of knowledge and awareness, and access to appropriate services. Most migrant workers suffer from depression and mental health problems that result into other health problems.

These observations were made at a seminar at the Spectra Convention Centre in Dhaka today, organised for sharing the findings of a preliminary study investigating the Impact of Migration on the Health of Bangladeshi Male Labour Migrants. It study was conducted by ICDDR,B with the support of IOM and is the first of it’s kind in Bangladesh.

The study primarily looked at the health status and health risks of the low skilled Bangladeshi male current and potential migrants, including their psychological health, issues related to work place injury, violence, sexual risk behavior and their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Although the findings indicate some health challenges and concerns, these can be overcome with appropriate interventions, said the organisers ICDDR,B and IOM.

The study was conducted in 7 unions of Mirsarai, Chittagong among 200 migrants and 200 potential migrants. It showed that the majority of the migrants were between 28-47 years and more than 85% were married. Almost half of the migrants surveyed suffer from variety of mental health problems irrespective of migration and about 60% experienced some kind of workplace injury. Seventy percent of the surveyed migrants had minor health problems in destination countries and around 8% of them received treatment cost from their employers, whereas 6% were covered by health insurance schemes. Thirty percent of the migrants and 28% of the potential migrants had sex with women other than their wives. Of them, only 5% of the migrants used condoms during their last sexual act. Of those migrants who had sex with sex workers, 9% refered to events before migration, while 17% had sex while they were abroad. The investigation revealed that both migrants and potential migrants have poor knowledge on the issues of HIV/AIDS and very low perception on the risk of the infection.

“In order to enhance the productivity of Bangladeshi workers abroad, greater policy intervention and social awareness is needed on their health requirements and health hazards,” said Ms. Rabab Fatima, IOM Regional representative for South Asia.

“Collaboration and cooperation is required among different ministries including the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, donor agencies and various types of implementing agencies to reduce the vulnerability of the migrant workers” said the Chief Guest Dr. Capt. (Retd.) Mozibur Rahman Fakir, State Minister of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The study findings was presented by Dr. Tracey Koehlmoos, Health System Scientist of ICDDR,B. Representatives from relevant ministries and government agencies, UN and other international agencies, NGOs and civil society took part in the discussion.

For more information please contact Asif Munier or Marufa Akter at IOM Dhaka. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Tel. +880-2-988-9765.