Migrant workers unsung heroes

Migrant workers are the unsung heroes of the country's development, and if formal means of overseas money transfer were stronger, remittances could exceed $40 billion annually.

The view was expressed yesterday at the 9th BRAC Migration Media Award ceremony held at The Daily Star Centre in the capital.

For reports on migration, 15 journalists and a TV programme were recognised at the event.

BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh said there was no one to listen to what the migrant workers had to say. As a result, they were often deprived of their rightful benefits.

"Migrant workers remit $22 billion through formal channels. But if you count what they send through hundi and other informal methods, the amount would be over $40 billion. One of the things we are working on is increasing the formal means of remitting," he said.

Highlighting BRAC's efforts to support migrant workers, he said more migrant-friendly formal channels would help bolster foreign reserves.

He also stressed the importance of coordination among ministries for migrants' welfare.

Michael Miller, ambassador and head of the Delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh, said the EU member states believed in regular, safe, and dignified migration.

"If Bangladeshi workers possess the necessary skills for the types of jobs we are seeking, more of them will be able to migrate to Europe for employment. Ensuring safe migration will benefit both the European Union and Bangladesh," he said.

He also highlighted the critical role of journalists in the migration sector, saying, "The work of journalists influences policy makers. The media contributes by working objectively."

Mahfuz Anam, editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, said he wondered how much the government invested for migrant workers who send $22 a year.

He noted that the ministry received just 0.5 percent of the national budget and asked, "Which ministry or government department earns even $1 billion? Yet, this is among the most underfunded ministries in our government."

He opined that the current system exploits human resources.

"You send them abroad. But where do they go? How do they live? What are their health issues? Are they safe? These are not our concerns. How much money they send is our concern," he said.

Mohammad Shaheen, NDC, joint secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, said the government was working on developing skills of prospective migrants.

"Skilled labour migration will make the migration process safer," he said.

Shariful Hasan, associate director (Migration and Youth Platform) of BRAC, presented the keynote paper, while Safi Rahman Khan, director of the Education, Skills Development, and Migration Program at BRAC, delivered the welcome address.

Rahnuma Salam Khan, national programme manager of the International Labour Organization, spoke as a jury board member.

The award-winning journalists in the newspaper (national) category are Kamrun Nahar and Masum Billah of The Business Standard (first), Saiful Islam of Ajker Patrika (second), and Hasanuzzaman of Dainik Inqilab (third).

In the newspaper (regional) category: Shariful Islam of Ekushey Patrika (Chattogram), Iftekharul Islam of Dainik Chattogram Khobor, and Shahin Alam of Saptahik Choddogram (Sylhet) won.

From TV: Khefayet Ullah Chowdhury Shakil of Bangla Vision with cameraperson Rajibul Islam, Rasheduzzaman with videographer SI Suman of Channel 24, and Tanvir Hossain with Jakir Hossain Rana of RTV won.

Independent Television's Talash won in the programme category, while Badsha Miah of Radio Tehran won in the radio category.

Jahangir Alam of Jagonews24.com, Ajoy Kundo of Daily Madaripur Sangbad, Saddif Ovee of Bangla Tribune, and Shakila Khatun of Daily Khoborer Kagoj (Sylhet) were the winners in the online category.