High migration cost taking heavy toll on outbound workers: Minister

High migration cost is taking its heavy toll on outbound Bangladeshi workers, the state minister for expatriates' welfare and overseas employment said on Saturday.
"We have initiated different measures including insurance coverage and cash incentives for the well-being of migrant workers," Imran Ahmed said while speaking at a regional consultation on Global Compact on Migration (GCM).
It was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in association with International Organisation for Migration and International Labour Organisation at a city hotel. High officials, national and international experts and activists were present.
Mr Ahmed also requested all concerned to work together so that safe migration is ensured for overseas jobseekers. He stressed the need for creating awareness among migrant workers of sending remittances through formal channels.
Currently, the flow of inward remittances is about US$ 15 billion per year. But it can be $ 20-$ 25 billion if the workers send remittances through official channels, he added.
The GCM was adopted by the United Nations last year for a better governed migration.
State minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam said the government is sincere in reintegrating returnee migrant workers. They are also working to protect the rights of workers in the destination countries, he added.
"We are advocating for ethical migration. But it is not the responsibility of a single country, rather it is an international liability," he mentioned.
Foreign secretary Shahidul Haque said migration has been included in our national development policy.
Speaking at the inaugural session, global civil society action committee coordinator Colin Rajah said Bangladesh has played an important role in various forums for adoption of the global compact for migration.
He stressed the need for multi-stakeholder engagement for proper implementation of the global compact nationally.
IOM chief of mission in Bangladesh Giorgi Gigauri put emphasis on coordinated efforts by the government between its ministries and other stakeholders for implementation of the global compact.
WARBE Development Foundation chairman Syed Saiful Haque presented the outcomes of the national consultations they organised in the country.
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