Government and ILO sign deal to protect migrant workers

Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure decent work for millions of migrant workers and launched to roll out three online-based reporting platforms to help skill and protect migrant workers.

The data collected will also help the government to shape better informed polices for migrant workers.

 "The Government is putting their highest efforts to the recognition of skills and marketoriented skills training for the migrant workers"- said Mr Imran Ahmed, MP, Minister, Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment on the signing ceremony.

"In relation to the three online information systems that we launched, the government also wants to build the capacity of the government officials so that they are able to analyse the data and contribute in the policy decision." the minister added.

ILO Country Director for Bangladesh Mr. Tuomo Poutiainen emphasised the large scale need for skills development and recognition of skills of the migrant workers.

He said, "The lack of recognition of skills not only creates difficulties in getting the expected wages in the destination countries but also brings challenges for economic reintegration in the countries in origin".

The MOU launch unveiled three information management systems, which are 1) Online Complaints Mechanism; 2) Labour Attaché Reporting System; and 3) Recruitment Agents Information Management System, developed with the support from ILO's Swiss Development Cooperation funded project.

Dr. Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, Secretary, MoEWOE and Tuomo Poutiainen, Country Director, ILO signed the MoU for skilling, re-skilling and upskilling of migrant workers.

Participants from expatriate ministry, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, development partners, organizations works for the migrant workers also participated at the event.

The ILO with the support from the European Union will profile 3,000 returnee migrants and their family members for support relating to market-driven skills trainings,enterprise development and skills recognition and job placement.