Global forum for taking strong measures to cut migration cost

The manpower exporting and receiving countries at a global forum have agreed to take a strong initiative to reduce migration cost with a view to ensuring regular migration.
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain conveyed the outcome of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) at a press conference Monday on his return home.
In his inaugural speech at the forum, United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki-moon emphasised the need for reduction of migration cost to a significant level.
The 7th meeting of the GFMD was scheduled for May 14 to 16 in Stockholm, Sweden. A total of 140 manpower exporting and receiving countries including Bangladesh and 30 international organisations participated in the meeting.
The minister said at present a reasonable migration cost is not only a demand of Bangladesh but it has also been raised in the international forums.
Following effective campaigning, discussion and recommendation by Bangladesh, the demand for lower migration cost is getting importance in the global arena, Mr Hossain said.
"With the lower migration cost, visa trading will be eliminated in the job destination countries," he added.  
"While visiting Denmark, we discussed various issues relating to the job market with the Danish government," he mentioned.
He also said presently 2,700 Bangladeshis are working in Denmark and there are more employment opportunities of Bangladeshis in the country.
The minister, however, said they have already become successful to a great extent in reducing the cost of migration. Bangladeshis are now going to Malaysia at the cheapest migration cost, he added.
He also said private manpower recruiters also send workers to Malaysia, but they have to follow proper rules and regulations.
"However, the recruiters need to bring genuine demand for workers from the Malaysian government and also send people as per our government database," he added.
The minister said now Bangladesh is sending manpower to some 159 countries of the world. Around 8.7 million Bangladeshis are engaged in various trades abroad.
Secretary of the ministry, Khandaker Shawkat Hossain, Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) director general Begum Shamsun Nahar, among others, were present at the press meet.