Speakers at a discussion on Sunday stressed the need for ensuring ethical recruitment in the supply chain of internal and international migration.
They said lack of transparency in the recruitment process of labour-intensive sectors is posing risk to workers and business in the country.
Migration experts, officials, business leaders, civil society members and development partners shared their opinions at the discussion titled "Uplifting the Competitiveness of Bangladesh through Ethical Labour Practices in Supply Chains" held at a city hotel.
They also identified lack of awareness about labour standards and ethical recruitment practices among the business community and workers.
International Organization for Migration (IOM) and International Business Forum, Bangladesh (IBFB) jointly organised the event to provide relevant stakeholders with necessary insights into Bangladesh's internal and international migration.
Unavailability of employment opportunities, climate change, natural disasters, and marriage are the key reasons for internal migration from rural to urban areas and also cross-border issues in Bangladesh, according to the concept note of the event.
Dhaka and Chattogram are the destinations for 80 per cent of internal migrants. Besides, more than 730,000 workers migrated internationally in 2018.
However, workers are at risk due to lack of awareness and limited capacity to implement appropriate corporate policies and management systems also contribute to vulnerability of workers.
Sharon Dimance, deputy chief of mission of IOM Bangladesh, said if Bangladesh ensures sustainable sourcing and ethical recruitment, it will increase the country's competitiveness.
She also said they want to see Bangladesh is free from exploitation of workers.
Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, additional secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE), said middlemen are involved in most of the malpractices which occur in the migration process of workers to abroad.
He said they are making a database of overseas jobseekers which will help reduce involvement of middlemen in the migration process.
Dr Rubana Huq, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said labour is a very sensitive issue. That's why it needs to give utmost priority to this issue.
"Yes, we have some problems in our sector. But it is nominal."
She added: "If we want to develop our sector, we need to make collective efforts. We need to be strategic."
Ms Huq said they want to do what is the best for the workers.
Humayan Rashid, president of IBFB, said they want to promote ethical labour practices which will help them build a better business environment. This will include improving wellbeing and opportunities for Bangladeshi workers.
IOM showed how it has been supporting the companies for improving their labour supply chains under its Corporate Responsibility in Eliminating Slavery and Trafficking (CREST) initiative. It also made a presentation on International Recruitment Integrity System (IRIS).
About 35 heads of human resources departments of different corporate houses attended the programme.
Md. Rezaul Haque, additional secretary of Labour Wing at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kazi Roushan Ara, executive director of Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB), Asif Ibrahim, former president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and director of BGMEA, Marina Manke, head of Labour Mobility and Human Development Division of IOM, Saiful Millat, country representative of Amfori Bangladesh, among others, were present.
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