Bangladesh Recognized as Tier 2 in 2025 U.S. Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report

In the 2025 U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, Bangladesh has been placed in Tier 2, acknowledging the country's significant and sustainable progress in combating human trafficking, despite ongoing challenges linked to governance changes and global migration pressures.

While the report states that Bangladesh has not fully met the minimum standards for eliminating human trafficking, it highlights that the government has made notable efforts, especially when compared to previous reports. The current government's overall efforts in trafficking prevention have shown improvement, leading to the country's Tier 2 ranking.

The report praises Bangladesh's progress in victim identification, protection services, and inter-agency coordination. It commended the adoption of a formal National Referral Mechanism and expansion of training for frontline officials. The government has identified 1,462 trafficking victims, including 144 victims of sex trafficking, 285 forced labor victims, and 1,033 victims of other trafficking forms.

Furthermore, the government has provided healthcare, legal aid, and shelter through ministries such as Women and Children Affairs, Social Welfare, and Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment. Collaboration with civil society organizations has led to training for police, immigration officials, and labor inspectors, aligning national practices with international anti-trafficking standards.

The report also recognizes Bangladesh’s ongoing cooperation with international law enforcement networks such as INTERPOL, India, and South Africa. It highlights the government's continuous efforts to strengthen the coordination between the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), and the Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit (CTTC).

Additionally, the Home Ministry has allocated 621.49 million BDT for anti-trafficking and awareness activities under the National Action Plan 2018-2025, marking an increase in funding compared to the previous year. The national and local committees have continued awareness campaigns on safe migration and labor rights through various media outlets.

The government has strengthened bilateral labor agreements with countries such as Malaysia, South Korea, and Brunei to reduce exploitation risks for migrant workers and has introduced policies to safeguard migrant workers’ rights. A national policy to facilitate the reintegration of returnee migrants, including trafficking survivors, is also in place.

Bangladesh is also working with neighboring countries, including India, to improve victim repatriation and cross-border cooperation under agreements signed in 2015. Additionally, cooperation with India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand has been enhanced to address trafficking issues in the Bay of Bengal region.

The report emphasizes that Bangladesh’s ongoing reforms, institutional development, and international engagement reflect the country's strong political will to combat all forms of human trafficking. The Tier 2 placement underscores Bangladesh's commitment to reinforcing the rule of law, ensuring the protection of migrant workers, and providing justice for trafficking victims. The government continues to invest in structural improvements in the fight against human trafficking.