Bangladesh seeks stronger IOM support to expand regular migration pathways

Dhaka: Bangladesh has called for closer cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to expand regular migration pathways, strengthen migrant workers' skills, and enhance protection for overseas workers, particularly women.

The call came during a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Ugochi Daniels, the IOM's Deputy Director General of Operations, in the capital on August 2.

The IOM delegation included Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Iori Kato and Special Adviser Priya Marwah, according to a press release.

During the meeting, the state minister reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment as a champion country of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), expressing hope that the newly launched National Action Plan (NAP) would provide a coordinated framework for implementing the compact's objectives.

She urged greater collaboration with IOM to expand legal migration opportunities, curb irregular migration, promote ethical recruitment, and equip Bangladeshi workers with skills aligned with evolving international labor market demands.

The minister also sought IOM's support in matching Bangladesh's workforce with global demand and facilitating talent partnerships with destination countries, particularly in healthcare, caregiving, and agriculture.

Emphasizing the need to safeguard migrant workers' rights and welfare, especially those of women, she called for stronger awareness programs and support services. She also thanked IOM for assisting in the evacuation and repatriation of stranded Bangladeshi nationals from crisis-hit countries.

The state minister further sought continued cooperation on the safe return and sustainable reintegration of migrants, climate-related mobility, and efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

She also appreciated IOM's humanitarian assistance for the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals sheltered in Bangladesh and urged greater international efforts to create conditions for their safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.

Daniels praised Bangladesh's initiatives to build a sustainable migration governance system and commended the country's leadership in promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration at the global level.

The call came during a meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam and Ugochi Daniels, the IOM's Deputy Director General of Operations, in Dhaka

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the Bangladesh-IOM partnership to promote safe migration, protect migrants' rights, and support Bangladesh's migration and humanitarian priorities.