"The Bangladeshi government must scrutinise its decision to send women over to Saudi Arabia. It should explore new markets and job opportunities for its potential migrant workers."

Denial of abuse
The recommendations proposed by the BCSM include calls for pregnant victims to demand compensation from their employers, and for the Bangladeshi embassy in Saudi Arabia to explain how it is helping abused maids. 

The BCSM also said that the Bangladeshi government had "remained silent" and refused to acknowledge the repeated episodes of abuse. 

Aid workers reiterated these claims and told Middle East Eye that the government had accused the returnee domestic workers of "making up the stories". 

Representatives from BRAC told MEE that the Saudi authorities have not prosecuted any employer accused of torturing their employees. 

The Bangladeshi government did not return calls for comment but in the past claimed that the women returned home after being unable to integrate into Saudi culture. 

Aid workers have meanwhile raised concerns for the safety of these returnee workers, as families and local communities reject them for having faced sexual abuse. 

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