Amdadul Haque
Though the contribution of the country’s remitters is important to keep the wheels of the national economy moving, their lack of awareness about broker activities and immigration system is not leading to any benefit. Due to the dishonesty of some unscrupulous people, the reputation of Bangladesh is eroding abroad. For these reasons, the government is going to undertake a project to raise awareness in the immigration sector.
The authorities concerned said the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) will take over the project. Work is currently underway to prepare the project proposal (DPP). Conscious activities will be conducted across the country through this project.
It is expected that this will reduce the nefarious acts of the broker circle, and create awareness among the people in the immigration sector. Proper utilization of various government-provided facilities for expatriates will be ensured too. Under the project, seminars will be organized in all of the districts of the country. Various types of awareness infographics and advertisements will be disseminated via print and online media. Awareness advertisements and programs will be broadcast on radio and television. The main task of this project will be to highlight the various issues of migration to the people through these programs and advertisements.
BMET sources said, the project proposal is not yet complete. According to sources, the institution undertook a five-year program titled 'Awareness Development Program for Safe Migration Assurance' in 2017. The cost of the project, which took place from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022, was estimated at Tk 213 crore. In view of the implementation of the program, new awareness projects are being planned.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment reports that the budget is allocated separately every year in order to ensure safe immigration.
Ministry sources said that the allocation for awareness seminars, publicity campaigns and press briefing was Tk 71,000 at the district level, and Tk 10,000 at the upazila level during the last fiscal year. During the current fiscal year, the allocation has been Tk 55 thousand and 8000 respectively.
Regarding the new project, BMET says the government is planning to provide remittance facilities to expatriates. Because remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis and workers are playing a vital role in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. Therefore, the government has also provided expatriates with various facilities.
However, in the absence of publicity, many expatriates do not know about the benefits it offers. Therefore, despite the benefits being near at hand, the residents are being deprived of various benefits due not knowing. For this, the ministry is also emphasizing awareness programs.
BMET Director General, Shamsul Alam said, Incognizance is acting as a major obstacle to our migrants. As many are deceived in the absence of awareness, they are deprived of the various privileges provided by the government while staying abroad. Besides, they cannot reach all kinds of messages to the representatives of the Bangladesh government on various issues from their workplace. Again, if a worker comes to the country or if a worker dies, they are deprived of all of the benefits that the government has set for them.”
The director general said, The things I have said are not only just the workers being deprived, but indirectly and in some cases, the country is also directly affected. Considering these issues, we are going to undertake a project to create public awareness, he added, “The Ministry was informed about the project at the last meeting to review the progress of implementation of annual development projects held at the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment and the ministry has responded positively.”
Various government facilities provided to the expatriates have been informed that the aim of the present government is to ensure safe, sound and systematic migration. Which works only to protect the rights and welfare of migrant Bangladeshi expatriate workers.
