Most migrant workers are being deprived of services of the Wage Earners' Welfare Board (WEWB), speakers at a workshop said on Tuesday.
Due to lack of hassle-free access to the services and proper campaign, most workers can't avail themselves of supports from the Welfare Board, they added.
Rights activists, officials and civil society members spoke at the workshop jointly organised by the WEWB and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) at Probashi Kalyan Bhaban in the city.
They said migrant workers contribute to the Workers' Welfare Fund operated by the WEWB. Each worker has to pay Tk 3500 as the welfare fee while receiving emigration clearance to go abroad. The amount of the fee goes to the welfare fund.
They stressed the need for launching a massive campaign to raise awareness about welfare services of the WEWB so that more migrants and their family members can get services from the WEWB.
They also suggested introducing new projects such as health services, trauma centre and reintegration programme to improve the way of life of migrant workers.
Head of BRAC migration programme Shariful Islam said the board provides financial support to the families of dead migrant workers. But those who are facing difficult situation at home and abroad should also get proper attention from the board.
He suggested ensuring economic reintegration and healthcare services, especially for women workers who suffer abuse and violence, after their return to the country.
Probashi Kalyan Bank should also enhance their migrant worker-friendly schemes, he added.
WARBE Development Foundation chairman Syed Saiful Haque said that all stakeholders would have to work together to develop the migration sector.
Ahosan Habib, a physician of Holy Family Red Crescent Hospital, said outbound workers should be equipped with basic healthcare knowledge so that they can keep sexually transmitted diseases at bay.
ILO National Programme Officer Rahnuma Salam Khan said she found that local administration remained unaware of the welfare services of the Wage Earners Welfare Board.
Expatriates' welfare and overseas employment ministry's Secretary Nomita Halder and Additional Secretary Munirus Salaheen also spoke at the discussion moderated by Assistant Professor Tawohidul Haque of Dhaka University.
The WEWB offers financial support to the families of dead and ailing migrant workers and stipends to meritorious children of the workers.
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