Discuss regularisation of middlemen

Stakeholders in the labour migration sector should discuss the regularisation of sub-agents or middlemen under the newly enacted Overseas Employment and Migrants (Amendment) Act, 2023, said Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairperson of the parliamentary committee on expatriates' welfare ministry, today.

He emphasised the importance of addressing the roles and potential penalties for middlemen in the context of this law.

The amendment, approved by a voice vote in parliament on September 14, allows intermediaries involved in international employment recruitment to gain official recognition through registration.

Until now, middlemen in the labour migration cycle have operated without formal recognition, creating challenges in ensuring justice for migrant workers.

He was speaking at a programme at the LD Hall of Parliament Members' Club on the Jatiya Sangsad premises in the capital, organised by Bangladesh National Woman Lawyers' Association (BNWLA).

These intermediaries play a pivotal role in handling financial aspects of the labour migration process, often working with multiple recruiting agents simultaneously. So, comprehensive discussions among stakeholders are necessary before finalising the rules, Anisul said.

He stressed the significance of incorporating the perspectives of migrant workers, sub-agents, and recruiting agents, among other key stakeholders, in developing these regulations.

This dialogue is essential to effectively implementing the amended law and enhancing the welfare of migrant labourers, he added.