Provide reintegration support to returnee migrant workers

Speakers at a webinar in the city on Saturday stressed the need for providing reintegration support to the returnee migrant workers, impacted by Covid-19 pandemic.
They suggested introducing income-generating works for the returnee migrants by utilising their experiences and skills.
Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies- BILS organised the webinar on 'Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic on Migration and Migrant Workers: Reintegration and Safe Return to Home and Workplace.
Nazrul Islam Khan, secretary general and executive director of BILS, moderated the programme while Shahidul Alam, additional secretary of the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry, attended it as chief guest.
Shariful Islam Hasan, head of BRAC's migration programme, delivered keynote speech.
He said a comprehensive database of the returnee migrant workers is needed to work out a reintegration plan.
He also mentioned some challenges of reintegration process including lack of awareness among the communities to support returnees, inadequate experience and knowledge of duty bearers and services.
Participating in the virtual seminar, Ayub Ali, a worker who returned from Saudi Arabia, said his visa duration has expired. So, he cannot get back to his workplace.
He wants to start a business. But he failed to receive loan from Probashi Kallyan Bank.
Rashida Begum who returned from Lebanon also sought fund from the government to start livelihood activities.
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