Dubai — Known worldwide for its glittering skyline, luxurious lifestyle, and iconic landmarks, Dubai presents itself as a land of dreams. But behind the city’s glamorous façade lies a dark reality for many Bangladeshi women who are lured into the nightlife industry under false pretenses.
Many women are deceived by recruitment networks with promises of high-paying, respectable jobs abroad. At Dhaka’s airport, they are coached and dressed to appear as tourists visiting the city’s attractions. Yet, upon arrival in Dubai, the truth is starkly different — instead of sightseeing, they are taken directly to nightclubs and bars where they are expected to work.
Isolation is a key part of this exploitation. Women are often confined in rented apartments for days, cut off from the outside world. Daily, they are transported to clubs under strict supervision, unable to go out alone or run even basic errands. Their work includes dancing and serving drinks, often under pressure to meet strict sales targets, which takes a severe toll on their physical and mental health. Some report extreme stress, anxiety, and thoughts of self-harm.
This exploitation is not limited to Dubai. Similar cases have been reported in other international cities, including Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok. Women arriving with promises of legitimate jobs, such as waitressing, find themselves coerced into unwanted and dangerous situations, often with their passports confiscated, leaving them trapped and vulnerable.
Experts point out that poverty, family pressure, and lack of opportunities often drive these women to accept risky overseas jobs. While labor laws exist in many countries, they frequently fail to protect women working in entertainment and nightlife sectors, leaving them exposed to abuse and exploitation.
The glitter of Dubai may dazzle the world, but for many women, the city conceals a harsh reality of deception, isolation, and exploitation — a story that rarely reaches the headlines but demands urgent attention.
