Letter after letter, but no result

Expatriates' Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad yesterday said despite their efforts, they failed to end migrant workers' sufferings at various places, including Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

He said his ministry wrote to the ministries and departments concerned on multiple occasions in this regard, but all went in vain.

"Now I'm helpless …."

The minister was addressing a press conference at the Prabashi Kalyan Bhaban in the capital to inform media about their preparation regarding the International Migrants Day to be observed globally today.

"If you talk about [sufferings] at airport, the civil aviation authority and the immigration department are there. You ask them why sufferings are there."

In reply to a query, Imran said his ministry would come forward when it needs to ensure migrant workers' wellbeing and provide them with any support.

The ministry took swift actions whenever migrant workers faced problems during the Covid-19 pandemic and pre-pandemic times, he added.

About the new opportunities to send workers abroad, Imran said at present Bangladesh has an agreement with Seychelles under which Bangladeshi workers are going to the African country, but the number was not large.

Besides, the ministry is working on  sending workers to European countries like Romania and Greece, he added.

At the briefing, Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, secretary of the ministry, said Kuwait has recently showed interest in hiring nurses from Bangladesh through the government-run recruiting agency Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited.

He said they are hopeful that about seven to eight lakh people would go abroad for jobsin 2021-2022 fiscal year.

On reducing the high migration costs, he said the ministry would take prompt action if it receives any written complaint in this regard.

Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training Director General Shahidul Alam also spoke at the event.

PROGRAMMES

The expatriates' welfare ministry will holda programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital today from 10:30am to observe the International Migrants Day-2021.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen will be the chief guest of the event.

Like previous years, selected Non-Resident Bangladeshis will be awarded with the commercially important person (CIP) status for their contribution to the country's economy.

Besides, district employment and manpower offices and technical training centres under the ministry will observe the day by holding separate programmes across the country.

For the second year running, the International Organisation for Migration in Bangladesh will host the virtual "Concert for Migrants" to mark the day and help raise awareness about safe migration.

The concert will be streamed live on IOM Bangladesh's Facebook page and telecast on Jamuna Television from 11:00pm, says a press release.

On the occasion, Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra, Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program, Bangladesh Ovibashi Sramik Forum, Association for Social Development of Bangladesh, and Samajtantrik Sramik Front yesterday called upon Bangladesh and receiving countries to uphold migrant workers' dignity, says a separate release.