A labour agreement between Bangladesh and Greece intended to create legal employment opportunities for thousands of Bangladeshi workers is falling short of its targets because of visa barriers, limited awareness, and recruitment difficulties.
Bangladesh’s ambassador to Greece, Nahida Rahman Shumona, estimates that fewer than 500 Bangladeshi workers have entered Greece legally under the agreement since it took effect, despite provisions allowing up to 4,000 workers annually.
In an interview with InfoMigrants on October 13, Shumona said the 2022 agreement remained in force, but practical obstacles were preventing more workers from using the legal recruitment route.
The agreement covers two areas: granting legal status to certain undocumented Bangladeshis already living in Greece and recruiting new seasonal workers through official channels. While the regularisation programme has helped thousands of Bangladeshis apply for legal status, the recruitment of new workers has progressed slowly.
One of the biggest obstacles is the requirement for Bangladeshi applicants to travel to New Delhi, India, for an in-person Greek visa interview. Before attending, applicants must secure an employment contract from a Greek employer and prepare documents, including a valid passport, a police clearance certificate and proof of visa-fee payment.
Applicants must also obtain permission to travel to India, which has become difficult for many Bangladeshis since the political upheaval in Bangladesh in July and August 2024.
Shumona said some workers receive invitations for visa interviews but cannot travel to New Delhi. Complex procedures and strict deadlines for matching applicants with employers further discourage participation.
Without an accessible legal route, some prospective workers rely on contacts already living in Greece, while others risk dangerous irregular journeys by sea. The ambassador warned that traffickers could exploit people seeking alternative ways to reach the country.
Bangladesh has raised the visa difficulties with Greek authorities and is exploring possible changes. Proposals include allowing applicants to submit documents at alternative locations, conducting interviews virtually and using the state-run Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) as a central recruitment channel.
According to Shumona, Greek authorities have been informed of these proposals, and technical options are being examined. However, no final decision or implementation timetable has been publicly confirmed.
Limited awareness of the agreement is another challenge. Many potential applicants in Bangladesh lack clear information about eligibility requirements, recruitment procedures, costs and processing times. Some Greek employers, particularly in rural areas, are also unfamiliar with the scheme or prefer hiring through personal contacts rather than the official bilateral process.
Shumona said Bangladesh was working to publicise the agreement and connect BOESL with Greek employers to make recruitment more transparent and accessible.
Agriculture remains the main sector for seasonal workers under the arrangement, reflecting Greece’s demand for labour during harvesting periods. However, the agreement could also support recruitment in construction, tourism, hospitality and certain service industries if employers choose to participate.
Bangladesh hopes to renew and expand the agreement, but the ambassador said the immediate priority was to make the existing system work more effectively before substantially increasing recruitment.
The agreement’s regularisation component has produced more significant results. Figures supplied by Greece’s General Directorate of Immigration Policy in February 2024 showed that 10,337 undocumented Bangladeshis had applied for regularisation during 2023. Of these, 3,405 had received residence permits or legal status, while 1,009 applications had been cancelled. Another 5,910 applications were pending at that time. These figures reflect the situation reported in early 2024 and do not establish the current status of those applications.
The regularisation route applied to certain Bangladeshis already living in Greece before February 9, 2022, subject to specific documentation and eligibility requirements. The seasonal recruitment arrangement, by contrast, is intended to allow new workers to enter Greece with employment contracts and defined periods of work.
Bangladesh also wants to strengthen safeguards against recruitment fraud, exploitation and excessive fees. Shumona said the government was encouraging prospective workers to use official channels, including BOESL and the Bangladesh Embassy in Athens, rather than relying on informal agents promising quick visas or jobs.
Closer cooperation with Greek authorities on labour inspections and enforcement of employment contracts is also part of Bangladesh’s efforts to protect workers.
The ambassador urged applicants to verify job offers, understand legitimate recruitment costs and follow official announcements about recruitment rounds and visa procedures. Bangladeshis already in Greece were encouraged to contact their embassy and Greek authorities for information about legal employment and regularisation options.
Although the agreement provides for up to 4,000 workers annually, the ambassador’s estimate of fewer than 500 legal arrivals highlights the gap between the scheme’s potential and its implementation.
Improving visa access, informing prospective applicants, and encouraging more Greek employers to participate will be crucial to expanding legal recruitment. Until these obstacles are addressed, many Bangladeshis seeking work in Greece may continue to face uncertainty or turn to unsafe migration routes.