Farhana Haque Nila : Today is Saturday, December 18. International Migrants Day. Like other years, Bangladesh will observe the day this year through various programs organized by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. This year’s theme is— ‘Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation, Golden Jubilee of Independence/ We will bring dignity and morality to migration’.
The main and national ceremony of International Migrants Day is scheduled for today at 10:30 am at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the capital. President Md. Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have given separate messages on the occasion of the day.
On December 18, 1990, the UN General Assembly adopted proposal international convention 45/158 regarding sufficient security to protect the interests of migrant workers and protecting the fair rights of their families. Later, on December 4, 2000, the UN General Assembly decided that every year, a day will be observed centering on issues related to the interests of massive migration and the huge number of migrants scattered across different parts of the world. Since then, UN member states have been observing International Migrants Day on December 18 every year.
In his message on Migrants Day, President Abdul Hamid said migration is facing difficult challenges today due to the global pandemic Covid-19 and various ego-political reasons. The provisions described in various national and international laws, conventions, and charters regarding protecting the rights and interests of migrants must be properly followed. The President expects that all concerned will be zealous so that migrant workers are not victims of exploitation, deprivation, and harassment in any way.
The President said labor migration has been considered one of the tools of development worldwide. Our migrant workers are earning foreign currency or remittances for the country, contributing to the country’s economic development. On the other hand, through achieving infrastructural development and economic prosperity of the country, they are spreading the country’s reputation worldwide. Our migrant workers are making special contributions to implementing Vision 2041 and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals declared by the UN.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message on Migrants Day, said the government has taken multi-faceted programs to ensure good governance in the migration system, create quality foreign employment opportunities, and the welfare of migrant workers and their families. As Covid-19 had a negative impact on the global labor market, many migrants have already returned to the country. We have taken rehabilitation activities and loans at low interest and easy conditions for them. So far, about 3 lakh expatriate workers have been given vaccines under special arrangements under the ‘Surokkha’ app.
Sheikh Hasina said we have set a target of 50 lakh new foreign employment in the Eighth Five-Year Plan. For this, various initiatives like setting up technical training centers at the upazila level, introducing courses consistent with global demand, and international certification have been taken. Our youth must be skilled by utilizing this opportunity and uphold the reputation of Bangladesh in the global labor market.
