Support centre for migrant workers underway: minister

Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad. Star file photo

The government has taken initiative to build a "support centre" for migrant workers, said expatriates' welfare minister Imran Ahmad at a programme yesterday.

"We are arranging all the support we can provide to those coming from and going abroad," he said. About three acres of land near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have been arranged for the centre, said the minister.

The government is hopeful to inaugurate it by December, he added.

The minister made the announcement while addressing a ceremony marking the inaugural of an allowance scheme for migrant workers' differently-abled children at the capital's Probashi Kalyan Bhaban, organised by Wage Earners' Welfare Board (WEWB).

The initiative has been taken marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Addressing the ceremony as chief guest, Imran Ahmad said they have also taken steps to build a medical centre for affordable healthcare service for migrant workers.

He urged the ministry officials to take initiative to treat the differently-abled children of the migrant workers.

The expatriates' welfare ministry spent about Tk 332 crore from the wage earners' welfare fund last year for the welfare of migrant workers and their family members, according to the minister.

Addressing the event as special guest,  Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, secretary, expatriates' welfare ministry, said the government has remained by the side of migrant workers under all circumstances.

Under the allowance scheme, some 295 differently-abled children of migrant workers will get a monthly allowance of Tk 1,000 each for five years. The allowance will be sent to the beneficiaries' bank accounts, according to ministry officials.

Shoaib Ahmad Khan, joint secretary and director (finance and welfare) of WEWB, said they received 495 applications for the allowance but 200 applications were not accepted due to faults.

WEWB director general Hamidur Rahman, among others, addressed the event.

Some selected family members of migrant workers also received bank cheques from the minister on behalf of their different-abled children during the ceremony.