42 entities sign pledge

Forty-two government, civil-society and private-sector organisations signed a pledge on Wednesday in Dhaka, committing to contribute to the timely, comprehensive and sustainable reintegration of migrant returnees.
The signing is part of the public-private partnership that aims to provide employment, skills, finance and other needs to the returnees for their economic reintegration.
The initiative is led by expatriates' welfare and overseas employment ministry.
Expatriates' welfare and overseas employment minister Imran Ahmed was the chief guest at the event.
He emphasised the importance of having parallel pathways by public and private sectors for reintegration.
Citing multiple state initiatives for safe migration, Mr Ahmed said the private sector plays a big role in terms of access to finance and business mentorship as well as coordination with foreign employers.
He thanked partner organisations, European Return and Reintegration Network (ERRIN), and International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), for initiating the first-ever joint platform in Bangladesh for the welfare of the returnees.
Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training director general (DG) Md Shahidul Alam, Wage Earners Welfare Board DG Md Hamidur Rahman, ICMPD head of Silk Routes Region Sedef Dearing and ERRIN project manager Marianne Ulbricht, among others, were present.

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