Bangladesh has retained its Tier 2 ranking in the 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report released by the US State Department, marking the sixth consecutive year the country has remained in this category.

As in last year’s assessment, the report notes that while Bangladesh does not yet fully meet the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking, it has made continued efforts to address the issue. However, persistent shortcomings remain in tackling internal trafficking, safeguarding Rohingya refugees, and ensuring victim-centred approaches.

The 2025 report acknowledges progress, including expanded training for frontline officials on victim identification and trauma-informed care, as well as the formal adoption of a National Referral Mechanism (NRM). Authorities also identified and referred more victims to services compared to the previous year.

Despite these steps, the report highlights major gaps. Investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of traffickers declined significantly, while crimes such as sex trafficking, forced child labour, and exploitation of Rohingya refugees saw little meaningful action. Labour inspectors remained critically under-resourced, particularly in the informal sector, and victim protection services continued to be inadequate—especially for male survivors and returning migrant workers.

The TIP report further criticises the continued practice of allowing high recruitment fees, which leave Bangladeshi migrant workers indebted and vulnerable to exploitation. Courts frequently imposed fines instead of prison terms, weakening deterrence, while corruption and official complicity persisted, with no convictions of complicit officials reported.

The State Department outlined recommendations including expanding Anti-Trafficking Tribunals, strengthening labour inspectorates, improving services for all victims, eliminating recruitment fees, investigating allegations of Rohingya exploitation, and adopting a fully funded National Action Plan.

The annual TIP report ranks countries based on compliance with the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). Tier 1 countries meet minimum standards, while Tier 2 states—including Bangladesh, India and Bhutan—do not fully comply but are making significant efforts. Nepal and the Maldives remain on the Tier 2 watch list, while Afghanistan is again listed in Tier 3, the lowest ranking.

SMS/