Bangladeshi labour migration to the Gulf states: Patterns of recruitment and processes

Abstract

The Gulf countries in the Middle East are one of the largest regions relying on international labour migrants for economic development. Recruitment constitutes an important part of this migration of labour. This study addresses the complexity and multiplicity of labour recruitment in the Gulf countries through a case study of Bangladeshi labour recruitment. This study examines the labour recruitment to the Gulf, combining networks and institutions to highlight both the operational and economic aspects of migrant recruitment. This article reveals how migrant networks and recruitment agencies adapt to the changing practices of recruitment to funnel migrant workers to the GCC countries and make profits out of the migrant workers in the recruitment process. © 2012 Canadian Association for the Study of International Development (CASID).