Editorial, News & commercial office:
55/A, H M Siddique Mansion (Level-7), Purana Paltan, Motijhel C/A, Dhaka-1000. Phone: +8802226640056,
e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has urged policymakers and field administrators to bridge the divide between Bangladesh's international commitments, domestic policies, and grassroots realities to establish a robust migration governance framework that guarantees safe, orderly, and regular overseas mobility.
Chairing a high-level consultation titled "Renewed Government Initiative for Ensuring Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration" at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, the state minister stressed a preventive approach:
"Protection abroad must begin with prevention at home."
Shama underscored that the government has renewed its focus on aligning international obligations with domestic execution to address the ground realities faced by aspiring migrant workers. In light of shifting global labor dynamics, she stressed the imperative of synchronizing technical skills development with demand in destination countries, diversifying international employment markets, and expanding regular migration channels. Drawing on observations from her constituency, she voiced serious concern over irregular migration routes, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and digital recruitment fraud.
Joining the dialogue, State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque emphasized the rollout of migrant-friendly policies and seamless public service delivery through grassroots administrative mechanisms. Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Mahdi Amin, attending virtually, welcomed the inter-ministerial coordination and urged proactive local-level interventions to safeguard departing workers.
The consultation convened Deputy Commissioners (DCs) from 14 migration-intensive districts—Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Chandpur, Chattogram, Dhaka, Noakhali, Narsingdi, Mymensingh, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur, and Sunamganj. The district administrators shared field-level challenges regarding labor trends, local skills deficits, predatory recruitment, and worker protection. Ministry officials briefed the DCs on national priorities, sharing labor market data from Bangladesh foreign missions to empower local administrations in combating exploitation and promoting regularized overseas employment.
