Farm labour figures in Dhaka-Canberra meets

Australia expressed willingness to strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh by looking into issues including relaxation of student visas, recruitment of workers and border protection.
The eagerness was evinced at a meeting on Thursday between the visiting Bangladesh Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister, Nurul Islam BSc, and Australian Immigration and Border Protection Minister Peter Dutton in Canberra of Australia. In the meeting they discussed different issues.
The Bangladesh minister sought Australia’s support and assistance in capacity building of border forces.
He also assured the Australian minister of Bangladesh’s firm commitment to preventing illegal migration and repatriating any Bangladeshis who might have entered the country illegally or overstayed there on expiry of their visas.
Mr Dutton suggested that both sides further discuss how to enhance bilateral co-operation in the areas of border protection and exchange of information.
Following a request from the Bangladeshi minister for relaxing student visa requirements, Mr Dutton assured him of looking into the request.
Referring to the growing demand for workers in Australia, particularly in the agriculture sector, Dhaka requested the country to consider recruitment of seasonal workers from Bangladesh.
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