Fellowship for children of migrant workers soon

Wage Earners' Welfare Board (WEWB) will launch a fellowship programme for meritorious children of Bangladeshi migrant workers soon, officials said.

The fellowship will be designed for the students of M.Phil (Master of Philosophy) and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy).

To this effect, the board has approved a plan in a meeting recently, said an official at WEWB.

The board has proposed the title of the fellowship as 'Bangabandhu Fellowship'. So, it sent an application to Jatir Janak Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Memorial Trust in August last, seeking approval for the name.

After getting approval from the trust, they will make rules and regulations to launch the fellowship programme, the official said.

WEWB launched a stipend programme for the children of migrant workers in 2012.

Currently, students from class six to honours level get financial support that helps them continue their education.

WEWB also maintains a welfare fund for expatriate Bangladeshi workers. The fund was established with contributions from migrant workers. Workers pay Tk 3,500 as welfare fees while getting immigration clearance.

Workers get different benefits from WEWB including financial grant of Tk 300,000 to the families of dead migrant workers each and ailing workers get Tk 100,000 for treatment.

Every year 600,000 to 700,000 Bangladeshis go abroad with jobs. More than 12 million Bangladeshis went abroad since 1976. Most of them are staying in Middle Eastern countries, according to Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training.

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