Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam BSC on Wednesday hoped that over 10 lakh Bangladeshi workers would get overseas employment opportunities by the end of this year.
“This year, some 9.64 lakh Bangladeshi workers got employment opportunities abroad so far and the total number is likely to cross 10 lakh at the end of this year (calendar year),” he said.
The minister was addressing a roundtable titled ‘Migration Diplomacy: Successes, Limitations and Steps’ as the chief guest held at the Daily Star Bhaban in the city.
Debate for Democracy organised the roundtable moderated by Secretary General of National Debate Federation Mostafizur Rahman Khan.
Debate for Democracy Chairman Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron presented the key-note paper at the roundtable while former ambassador Humayun Kabir, BMET Director General Selim Reza, Dhaka International University Vice-Chancellor Dr KM Mohsin, among others, spoke at the roundtable.
The Expatriates’ Welfare Minister also informed that some 71,433 female workers went to Saudi Arabia in the last year while the country has also agreed to take close male relatives of the female workers alongside taking more female workers.
He said the agreement with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for sending house helps is under process while discussions are also going on to reopen the labour market of the Bangladeshi workers in the UAE.
“A result is likely to come out in this regard within this week,” he said.
