Momen for concerted efforts to tackle migration challenges

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Saturday called for a concerted effort from departments concerned to address migration-related challenges, and proposed declaring December 30 as “Expatriates Day.”

Speaking as the chief guest at an event held to mark the International Migrants Day 2021, Momen said along with government support, all stakeholders, including development partners, international organisations, NGOs and the civil society will have to work together on this issue.

The programme was organised by the expatriates’ welfare and oversees employment ministry at the Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in Dhaka.

Momen further said, “As per the directives of the prime minister, our government is working towards the goal of sending 1,000 workers a year from each upazila on average. Achieving this goal is not possible for the government alone.

“Our ministry is working to provide national identity cards to expatriates at their destination countries. We have launched a project, and are currently running a trial in two countries.”

Adding that presently there are more than 1.20 crore Bangladeshi migrants working in 174 countries across the globe, Momen said, “The expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment ministry must continue working tirelessly to stabilise and revitalise the foreign employment sector, and ensure workers’ welfare amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

“We must continue our concerted efforts to protect and expand the existing labour markets abroad, create new labour markets, and above all, address the challenges of expatriate workers.

Bangladesh is committed to ensuring safe and secure migration.” At the programme, the foreign minister proposed declaring December 30 as the “Expatriates Day” to involve more Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) and diaspora in the country’s ongoing development.

He stated, “In December, a huge number of our expatriates visit Bangladesh, so we can organise different meetings and seminars as we mark this day. This would encourage them to utilise their international standard expertise in the country’s development journey.”

Pointing out that 65 lakh people in the country have already been displaced due to riverbank erosion, Momen urged the international community to address the issue of climate refugees.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed chaired the Saturday’s event, while chief of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry Anisul Islam Mahmud spoke as the special guest.

At the programme, Imran Ahmad asked the aspirant migrants not to heed to any rumours about labour migration to Malaysia. “The government will take all necessary steps to ensure safe, regular and cost effective migration in Malaysia,” he added.

The ministry’s Secretary Ahmed Munirus Saleheen delivered a welcome speech at the programme.