Govt sets target to send 1.5m workers abroad next year

FE Report

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (EWOE) Minister Nurul Islam on Sunday said the government has set a target to send 1.5 million workers abroad next year.

"The government has planned to send 1.5 million people abroad as workers from January to December 2018," he said while speaking at a seminar.

Bangladeshi Ovibashi Mohila Sramik Association (BOMSA), WARBE Development Foundation and Ovibashi Kormi Unnayan Program (OKUP) organised the seminar - 'Safe Migration for Sustainable Development' - at EWOE ministry conference room to observe International Migration Day 2017.

Mr Nurul Islam also said the ministry will take necessary steps to protect family members of the overseas workers in their absence.

OKUP Chairman Shakirul Islam presented the keynote paper at the programme.

He said safe migration would help Bangladesh achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

He added that there should be a database for the returnee overseas workers to take care of them after they return home.

WARBE Chairman Syed Saiful Haque said Bangladesh should support the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) whether it is binding or non-binding.

He said visa trading must be stopped. There is demand of workers in the destination countries. That is why they are going.

"Why the workers have to pay Tk 5,00,000-7,00,000 for receiving a job, which he deserves free of cost," he raised question.

Director General of Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Md Selim Reza, BOMSA Director Sumaiya Islam, among others, also spoke at the programme. Manusher Jonyo Foundation Director Rina Roy moderated it.

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