Syrians have so far made up the largest group of migrants attempting treacherous journeys across the Mediterranean Sea, followed by Afghans, Iraqis, Eritreans and sub-Saharan Africans. “The thing that’s really changing is the main nationality of the migrants, and the number coming from Bangladesh,” IOM’s Flavio di Giacomo told The Independent. According to information gathered by IOM, Bangladeshi migrants pay up to $10,000 to reach Libya, then another $700 to board a boat. They coordinate with gangs inland to detain migrants in squalid detention centres, where Salah has met imprisoned Bangladeshis, while others continue to work in restaurants, services and construction. Bangladeshis are frequently employed for semi-skilled or unskilled labour in north Africa or the Gulf, receiving worse pay and treatment than migrants from richer countries.

Source: Dhaka Tribune May 06, 2017 13:18 UTC