'Migration sector still neglected'

Migration sector contributes largely to the national economy but it still remains underprivileged by the state, speakers told a consultation on Tuesday.
They attributed this negligence to a lack of political will of the government.
They emphasised a proper plan for both outbound and inbound migrant workers to safeguard the interests of this sector.
Although migrant workers returned home with particular skills, it is not utilised at home for lack of a proper reintegration programme.
On the other hand, there is no plan regarding how much each worker will get as monthly wage through this.
Rights activists, parliamentarians and experts were present at the 'National Consultation on Fostering Collaborative Efforts for Labour Market Reintegration for Migrant Workers' held at a city.
The WARBE Development Foundation with the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) hosted the dialogue.
Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and adviser, Parliamentarians' Caucus on Migration and Development (PCMD), was present as the chief guest at the event.
He emphasised disseminating necessary information regarding income-generating and employment opportunities to the returnee migrant workers so that they can search jobs that match with them.
Mr Mahmud, however, criticised the ongoing Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE) programme on reintegration.
"How will the Covid-impacted migrant workers be identified and supported now that the pandemic has been over for three years?" he questioned.
"Such programmes are just a waste of money," he said.
Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary, chairperson of the PCMD, said the government is yet to create a database of returnee workers, but it is not a difficult task.
"Through an analysis of 10 years' data of airport immigration," he said, "it's possible to find out the types of skills, and from where they returned."
Although the sector is contributing a lot, it is neglected by the government, according to Mr Patwary.
"Political will is crucial to develop the sector."
PCMD secretary general Mahjabeen Khaled, Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) secretary general Ali Haider Chowdhury and ILO national programme manager Rahnuma Salam Khan, among others, were present there.

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