Around 109 Bangladeshi female migrants, residing in a shelter home in Saudi Arabia, have returned to their homeland on Monday.
A total number of 45 workers returned on the evening flights while 65 more female migrants reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at night, confirmed Brac's Migration Program Head Shariful Hasan.
The female workers were reported to have experienced various forms of abuse, including physical, psychological and even sexual abuse by their employers in Saudi Arabia.
Many of them have also complained about various forms of torture, with the major one reported to be nonpayment of wages.
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Shariful told Dhaka Tribune: "These migrants had been staying in the safe house run by Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh for a long time."
Upon their return, the Expatriate Welfare Board and the Brac's Migration Program provided emergency assistance, which took care of their meals, he added.
This year, around 800 female workers have returned to Bangladesh from the KSA. Last year, the Brac Migration Program provided emergency services for the safe return of 1365 female migrants.
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Meanwhile, Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, Additional Secretary of Migration Welfare wing of Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment said these female workers have been brought back to Bangladesh through embassy management.
"In primary investigation, they complained that the environment was not favorable as some faced job difficulties while others described horrific incidents of abuse," he said.
All the costs of their return have been provided, and financial assistance will be given if needed, Dr Ahmed concluded.
