In 2019, climate related impacts led to the displacement of 4.1 million people, and migration of 455,941 mainly due to slow-onset climate change within Bangladesh.^[14] Further predictions suggest by 2050, the country could have 13.3 million internal climate migrants^[15], accounting for a third of all in South Asia.^[16] Major push factors for climate migration are associated with the lack of productivity in agriculture during lean seasons, annual flooding and recurrent food crises. These continue to push vulnerable communities such as farmers and landless labourers in distress to migrate to other regions of Bangladesh, increasing internal migration.^[17] For example, the northern region is faced with a recurring seasonal event, commonly referred to as ‘monga’ which creates a near-famine situation between the periods of cultivation and harvest, leading to annual labour migration in the region.^[18]

There are over 142 social security schemes in Bangladesh.^[23] However, migrants face challenges in accessing them, primarily due to lack of portability. This is because schemes are designed based on geographical area, making migrants ‘ineligible’ when they move to a different geography for work.^[24]