Bangladeshis highest number of irregular migrants to Italy

Bangladeshis were found to be the highest number of irregular migrants reaching the shores of Italy in the first six months of this year.

Of the 28,405 irregular migrants, there were a total of 4,606, who were followed by Egyptians, Tunisians, and Afghans.

Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Enrico Nunziata revealed this information at a view-exchange meeting organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The meeting was held on "Tackling Human Trafficking and Safe Migration" at Shariatpur municipality auditorium yesterday.

Shariatpur is one of the most trafficking-prone areas from where a lot of Bangladeshis take risky journeys to Italy through the Mediterranean.

Nunziata said those seeking to migrate to Europe face enormous suffering, violence, and extortion, and many of them die on the way.

Last year, 3,231 migrants died, he added.

Nunziata noted such irregular migration creates a humanitarian situation that must be prevented by adapting an integrated approach.

He said Italy has enlisted Bangladesh as one of the countries that can send seasonal workers to Italy in 2020.

Since then, more than 1,600 Bangladeshis have availed of work visas and many are awaiting such visas.

Bangladesh and Italy are discussing ways of increasing skilled migration from Bangladesh to Italy, he added.

Shariatpur Deputy Commissioner Parvej Hasan chaired the meeting, which was also addressed by lawmaker of Shariatpur-3 constituency Nahim Razzaq, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Senior Secretary for Public Security Division Akter Hossain, Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed and Secretary of Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Ahmed Munirus Saleheen.