Govt to prevent illegal migration

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam yesterday said the government was determined to prevent illegal migration to Australia and promote regular migration and would repatriate Bangladeshis who entered illegally or overstayed.

Nurul, leading a five member official delegation, said this when Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton called on him at the latter's office in Canberra, says an expatriates' ministry press release quoting the Bangladesh high commission there.

The two held extensive discussions on enhancing bilateral co-operation, including through recruiting Bangladeshi workers, strengthening and expanding cooperation between border protection forces and relaxing student visas.

Nurul requested recruiting seasonal workers considering Australia's growing need especially in the agricultural sector. Peter Dutton highlighted that Australia's current policy was essentially focused on skilled immigration.