Workers’ interest comes first, says minister

Bangladesh gives priority to its national as well as worker interests first in sending migrants to Malaysia, expatriates' welfare minister tells a discussion.
The process of sending workers to Malaysia should be reopened soon as it would help create job opportunities and increase remittance earnings, he adds.
The government is trying to restart sending workers to the Southeast Asian market immediately.
Imran Ahmad, minister for expatriates' welfare and overseas employment, said this at a view-exchange meeting with stakeholders and journalists on Wednesday.
He says the outflow of workers abroad has increased significantly this fiscal year.
"We hope more than 1.0-million Bangladeshis will find jobs in the current fiscal year," the minister says, adding that remittance income also will remain steady.
The government is working to enhance their skills and safe migration, he concludes.
Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, secretary of the ministry, chaired the meeting where Shahidul Alam, director general of the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training, was present.
Officials from different departments, national and international migration experts, and rights activists also attended the programme.
The participants discuss the necessity of safe and orderly migration as well as enhancing the facilities and benefits of migrant workers.
They also suggest ensuring quality migration along with available scope for overseas job seekers.

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