Dhaka, Aug 03 (V7N) – Bangladesh has called for enhanced cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to expand regular migration opportunities, protect the rights of migrant workers, and promote safe, orderly and regular migration.
The call was made during a courtesy meeting between Foreign Adviser Shama Obaid and IOM Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels in Dhaka on Monday (August 3).
During the meeting, the Foreign Adviser said Bangladesh, as a champion country of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), remains committed to implementing global migration commitments through its National Action Plan. She thanked IOM for its long-standing support in ensuring safe, orderly and regular migration, as well as its contributions to Bangladesh's development and humanitarian efforts.
She sought greater cooperation from IOM in expanding regular migration pathways, preventing irregular migration, promoting ethical recruitment practices, and developing a skilled workforce that meets the demands of the international labour market.
The Foreign Adviser also emphasized the need to create new employment opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi workers in sectors such as healthcare, caregiving and agriculture, while encouraging the development of talent partnerships with destination countries.
Highlighting the importance of protecting migrant workers, she called for increased awareness and stronger support mechanisms to safeguard the rights and welfare of women migrant workers.
She also commended IOM's role in assisting the evacuation and repatriation of stranded Bangladeshi nationals from crisis-affected countries and stressed the need for continued cooperation on safe return, sustainable reintegration, climate-induced migration, combating human trafficking and preventing migrant smuggling.
Referring to the Rohingya crisis, the Foreign Adviser appreciated IOM's humanitarian assistance to forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals living in Bangladesh. She urged the international community to play a more active role in creating conditions for their safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.
For his part, IOM Deputy Director General Ugochi Daniels praised Bangladesh's leadership and initiatives in migration governance. He also commended the country's active engagement at the global level in promoting safe, orderly and regular migration.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Bangladesh-IOM partnership to protect migrants' rights, promote safe and regular migration, and advance Bangladesh's humanitarian and migration-related priorities.
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