All stakeholders must collaborate to ensure safer migration – speakers
The virtual webinar organised by BNSK was attended by 71 Technical Training Centers, 46 District Employment and Manpower Office officials, Promoting Knowledge for Accountable Systems (PROKAS), and various migrant organisations
Cooperation from all stakeholders is vital for smooth migration of Bangladeshi workers, speakers said at a webinar on Thursday.
The webinar titled "Fairer Faster Justice Orientation and Pictorial Training Opening" was organised by Bangladesh NariSramik Kendra (BNSK).
Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, secretary to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, inaugurated the pictorial webinar as the chief guest.
He said that Technical Training Centre (TTC) and District Employment and Manpower Office (DEMO) officials have been playing a pivotal role in increasing mass awareness and capacity building in the migration area, but it isn't sufficient.
"Many are forced to go abroad, while some go with pre-departure training. In this case, pre-decision training is more important than pre-departure training," he said.
He emphasised building a paradigm with stakeholders at all levels including development partners, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSO), and recruiting agencies for smooth and safe migration.
He added that pictorials will help non-resident workers understand their responsibilities regarding migration and enable them to make better decisions.
Gerry Fox, team leader of PROKAS, who attended the event as a special guest said in his speech that, migrant workers at home and abroad have been suffering various constraints during Covid-19. They are not getting paid and are being exploited by middlemen.
"The migration process would be more dynamic and safer if all the stakeholders could work together to implement awareness programmes, increase support services, and provide efficient problem solving," he added.
The virtual event was attended by 71 Technical Training Centers, 46 District Employment and Manpower Office officials, Promoting Knowledge for Accountable Systems (PROKAS), and various migrant organisations.
Dr Shakhawat Ali, director of training operation of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) was also present in the webinar as a special guest.
Shirin Lira, senior Issue-Based Project (IBP) manager, social and inclusion adviser of PROKAS, British Council moderated the event.
Masud Rana, the senior statistical officer of BMET, provided an orientation on online case management. Sumaiya Islam, Executive Director, BNSK, and Dr. Khaleda Muheb presented the pictorial.
PROKAS FLM partners and other migration organisation representatives described their case management experience during the webinar.
They also suggested initiating a more effective mechanism to clear the submitted cases at the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training, and District Employment and Manpower Office.