Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said in a Ecuador meet that establishment of safe, orderly and regular migration is a ‘political priority’ of the ruling Awami League government as per its election manifesto. Bangladesh does not consider migration just as another international issue. We consider migration as an integral path to development both for the host as well as the country of origin,” he said, speaking at a policy forum on ‘Road to Implementing Global Compact on Migration (GCM)’ at Sheraton Quito in Ecquador on Tuesday.
William Gois, Regional Coordinator of Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), was also present, according to the minister’s speech.
With more than 1.1 million Rohingyas at hand, the foreign minister said the government “understands very well the mayhem if such unsafe, disorderly and irregular movement of people takes place anywhere.” “On the other hand, we have several hundred thousand foreign nationals working in Bangladesh in various industrial sectors. They are working peacefully and no complain has been heard regarding their stay and work in Bangladesh,” he said.
“Government of Bangladesh is pledge-bound to provide safety and security to every native and foreign citizen in Bangladesh. In that way Bangladesh has also fulfilled one of the most important requirements of GCM.”
As Bangladesh is celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the foreign minister said they have selected skilled migration as a priority as a part of the nationwide celebration from this year’s March 17 to March 17 next year.
He urged all to recognise the skills and their levels as per decision of the GCM. “We also have a dedicated Ministry for the expatriate Bangladeshis and together with Foreign Ministry, they cater to various needs of our expatriates,” he said. He said Bangladesh was at the forefront of any effort or action regarding migration and GCM was no exception.
“The Government of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given highest importance to the process of migration. Of late, Bangladesh has been a source, transit and destination country for migration. So we have taken all necessary preparations so that our citizens and the whole society can be better equipped to take advantage of the global understanding through GCM,” he said.
Momen said Bangladesh is also actively participating in regional and sub-regional platforms according to GCM Objective 23. “A GCM implementation framework in Bangladesh has already been developed and submitted to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. We are taking measures and plans to mainstream migration in 8th Five Year Plan,” he said.
“A GCM Implementation Framework has been developed and is under the review of the government. We hope that soon we will be able to submit concrete recommendations before the government to adopt through various legal and official processes.”
