SANGSAD BHABAN, June 11 (V7N) — Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said the government may form a task force to address the various problems faced by Bangladeshi expatriates both at home and abroad.
“A task force can be formed after examination by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment,” he said while participating in a discussion on a proposal brought by Leader of the Opposition and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman under Rule 147 of the Rules of Procedure in the Jatiya Sangsad.
The minister said issues concerning expatriate Bangladeshis could also be discussed in parliamentary standing committees once those committees are formed.
He added that the government could establish a working committee comprising representatives from the ministries of home affairs, foreign affairs, expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment, and civil aviation to ensure better services and facilities for expatriates, including at airports.
Criticising the previous government, Salahuddin said overseas employment had been tarnished by those who treated it as a “manpower business” and were allegedly involved in human trafficking and money laundering.
He said charge sheets had been filed against around 100 accused involved in such activities.
Highlighting government initiatives for expatriate welfare, the minister said a number of policy and administrative measures had been taken to simplify passport services for Bangladeshis living abroad. Relevant instructions have already been sent to foreign missions following decisions taken at an inter-ministerial meeting.
The measures include issuing passports without police verification, introducing online application and payment systems, launching call centres and helplines, and accepting passport applications based on birth registration certificates for Bangladeshi citizens residing abroad.
He said e-passport facilities have been introduced for expatriates, enhancing passport security. Applications and services are being provided through mobile enrolment kits.
To ensure hassle-free passport delivery, the government has taken steps to provide passports to expatriate Bangladeshis within 72 hours through international courier services. Expansion of e-passport services to additional Bangladeshi missions abroad is also underway.
The minister thanked the opposition leader for raising an important national issue.
Participating in the discussion, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam expressed hope that national issues could be addressed jointly by both the government and the opposition.
She said although expatriates’ remittances had contributed significantly to the country’s economy, the previous government had failed to adequately address their concerns. The present government, she added, is working to resolve their problems.
The state minister said the foreign ministry has established a migration wing to curb illegal migration and is working in coordination with the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment to ensure the welfare of expatriate Bangladeshis.
Raising the proposal, Dr Shafiqur Rahman thanked parliament for allowing discussion on the issue, noting that expatriates contribute billions of dollars in remittances annually to the country’s economy.
He urged the government to recognise expatriate Bangladeshis as “remittance heroes” and called for the formation of a task force to oversee and address the challenges they face.
State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur, Parliament Members Abdul Hannan Masud, Barkatullah Bulu, M Mahbubul Alam, Monirul Huq Chowdhury, and M Nazibur Rahman also took part in the discussion.
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