Staff Reporter :
The Italian government is going to give an opportunity to the Bangladeshi workers who want to pursue chance to go to Italy in order to improve their fate by working there.
Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Enrico Nunziata in a view exchange meeting at Sariatpur Municipality on Friday said that his government has been working with Bangladesh on an agreement to pave the way for the Bangladeshi workers.
“Both Bangladesh and Italy are working on an agreement. When the deal will be signed, Bangladesh workers will avail the opportunity to go to Italy for work. Some 3000 people will enjoy the quota,” he added.
About other opportunities of the draft agreement, the envoy said, “Under the agreement, the number of immigrants will be increased. Researchers, investors and students will also get the opportunity under the deal.”
Regarding the progress of the agreement, the Ambassador said, “Representatives of Bangladesh Foreign Ministry and Italian Foreign Ministry have talked on the agreement on June 30 for the first time. We want that no Bangladeshi should go to Italy through illegal way. We assist those who choose for legal immigration to Italy.”
The view exchange meeting was held to prevent human traffic through illegal migration and to encourage people for safe migration. Shariatpur Deputy Commissioner Md Parvez Hasan presided over the meeting.
Discouraging the illegal and unsafe migration, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said, “The government cannot assist the illegal migrants. These people are harassed and suffer in different ways while they opt for illegal and unsafe migration.”
About the dangers of entering Italy by boats, he said, “People endanger their life while the attempt to enter Italy by boats or trawlers from Libya through illegal routes. They not only kill their lives but their families suffer as well.”
He also said, “Bangladesh government will bring back some 186 Bangladeshi people who were rescued from illegal migration next week. Illegal migration tarnish country’s image. There is no scope to be legal immigrants in Europe.”
Inspector General of Police Dr Benazir Ahmed said, “We have reports that many people become the prey of fraudulence and harassment when they opt for illegal migration. Many of the cases we cannot nab the fraudsters for lack of documents and witnesses. Yet, we are trying our best to work in this regard.”
Mentioning the benefits of the Padma Bridge, he said that the Padma Bridge project has created job opportunities for the people living in the southern region.
“You can invest your capital in the country for employment instead of risking lives for illegal migration. We don’t want to be the corpses by losing lives in unsafe migration. If you have any information about the frauds, give their information to police,” he added.
Nasima Begum, an ill-fated mother who lost her son in illegal migration, said, “My son wanted to go to Italy three years ago. So, he at first went to Libya with the help of middlemen. I last talked to him on 29 June.”
“The middlemen told me they will rescue my son and compelled me to give them some Tk 14 lakh in different times. Later I get news that my son is dead. I want to get his body back,” the sobbing mother said.
Among others, member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs and MP of Shariatpur-3 Nahim Razzaq, Senior Secretary of Home Ministry Akhtar Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr. Ahmed Munirus Saleheen and Shariatpur Superintendent of Police SM Ashrafuzzaman, were present.
Nahim Razzaq said, “About four lakh inhabitants of Shariatpur are living in Italy. We have to come forward to stop illegal migration. We need support of all here.”
