2.25 lakh leave country as migrant workers a year

They said about US $ 3.37 billion came into the country from migrant workers in last fiscal year alone.

The seminar was organised by Bangladesh Migration and Development Forum (BMDF) to mark the first anniversary of the 'Entry into Force of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families' in the city yesterday.

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The speakers urged the government to ratify the convention and called for reducing the cost of fees for obtaining passport and launching a training programme for migrant workers for better understanding of their jobs abroad.

They said although the UN General Assembly has adopted the convention and opened it for adaptation, migration has grown into a complex and multi-faceted phenomenon both at national and international level.

Speaking as chief guest, Daliluddin Mondal, secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment, said the government has already taken some steps including launching of the online data base registration file programme for ensuring easy migration.

At the seminar, the BMDF launched a Bangla version of the draft of 'International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families' with a view to assist the migrants in ensuring their rights.

Bangladesh became a signatory to the convention In October 1998 while 25 countries have so far ratified it.

Presided over by Wahid-uz-Zaman, director general of the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training, the seminar was addressed by Tasneem Siddiqui of Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit, Ali Haider Chowdhury, secretary general of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies, and Eric Hanley, advisor to Department for International Development.