Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain on Thursday said they have proposed the Italian government to formalise the migration of Bangladeshi workers to the European country.

Talking to reporters after his meeting with visiting Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy Sen Benedotta Della Vedova at Probashi Kalyan Bhaban, Mosharraf Hossain said he has requested the Italian government to introduce a formal procedure for Bangladeshi jobseekers so that they do not fall in any sort of trouble in that country.

Although most of the Bangladesh nationals who migrate to Italy are hired on seasonal basis, some unscruplous recruiting agencies do not inform the migrants about the limitation, and, as a result, many workers fall in trouble and resort to migrating to another country illegally, he noted.

The government has also proposed to Italy for introducing a government-to-government process for hiring workers from the country.

Italian Deputy Foreign Minister Sen Benedotta Della Vedova told reporters after the meeting that many foreign workers in Italy are facing temporary problems due to the recession.

However, the Italian government is trying to overcome the situation soon and thinking of legalising the migrants, he added.

Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Maria Palma was also present during the meeting.

UNB/RI