Concerns are growing in Bandarban district over the increasing presence of Rohingya workers in the local labour market, with residents alleging that many refugees from Myanmar are accepting lower wages and reducing employment opportunities for local workers.
According to local residents and workers, Rohingya labourers are now engaged in a wide range of sectors in Bandarban's seven upazilas, including construction, agriculture, brick kilns, rubber plantations, earth-cutting projects, fisheries and hospitality services.
Residents allege that many Rohingyas have left refugee camps in Cox's Bazar and entered Bandarban in search of work. Employers are reportedly hiring them because they accept wages significantly lower than those demanded by local workers.
"The daily wage for local labourers is around Tk700-800, while Rohingya workers often agree to do the same work for Tk400-500," said Said Hossain, a worker in a rubber plantation in Naikhongchhari upazila.
Labourers in several parts of the district claim the growing availability of low-cost Rohingya workers is reducing work opportunities for local day labourers, many of whom depend on manual work as their primary source of income.
A visit to several areas, including Reicha, Bhandari Para and Gowalia Khola in Bandarban Sadar, found Rohingya workers engaged in activities such as tree cutting and other labour-intensive work, according to local sources.
Residents cited a number of factors behind employers' preference for Rohingya labourers, including their willingness to perform physically demanding jobs, accept lower wages and work in remote locations.
Local sources said Rohingyas enter Bandarban through various border routes and, in some cases, by leaving refugee camps in Ukhia and Teknaf in neighbouring Cox's Bazar.
Law enforcement agencies say they are continuing operations to prevent unauthorised movement of Rohingyas outside designated camps.
Superintendent of Police in Bandarban Wahabul Islam Khandkar said, "Operations are ongoing. If anyone has information regarding Rohingya movement, they should inform the authorities."
On 5 May, law enforcement officials detained 21 Rohingyas at the Reicha checkpoint while they were allegedly entering Bandarban town. Another eight Rohingyas were detained from the town's bus terminal area on 12 May, police said.
Local residents have called for stronger monitoring and enforcement measures, arguing that the issue is affecting employment opportunities for both Bengali and ethnic minority workers in the district.