The government on Monday issued a stern warning against human trafficking and irregular migration syndicates, pledging to bring those involved in illegal migration practices under the law as concerns grow over unsafe migration through the Bangladesh-Libya-Italy corridor.
Highlighting the importance of safe, orderly, and regular migration, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, highlighted the "zero tolerance" commitment of the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman toward illegal migration.
The warning came at a meeting titled "Migration and mobility-Bangladesh situation" organized by the Ministry of Foreign affairs at the State Guest House Padma at the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, senior government officials, the Ambassador of Italy, the CDA a.i. of Libya, and the Chief of IOM Mission in Dhaka also took part in the discussion with Shama Obaed in chair.
The discussion took place against the backdrop of recent deaths of Bangladeshi migrants in the Mediterranean Sea while attempting the perilous Bangladesh-Libya-Italy route through irregular channels.
Taking part in the discussion, the Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Antonio Alessandro said on Monday that the European Union is going to enact a new regulation on asylum and migration in June 2026, where asylum process would become tougher to get legal status for illegal migrants.
Highlighting a key policy development, the Italian envoy said a new migration policy set to be implemented from June will help ensure more regular and structured migration pathways. "The upcoming policy will strengthen safe migration while making the repatriation process of irregular migrants faster and more streamlined," he stated.
Govt warns against illegal migration syndicates
The ambassador emphasised that migration remains a top priority for the current Italian government, which is committed to promoting legal migration channels while curbing irregular flows. He also referred to ongoing bilateral efforts, noting that a Joint Working Group between Bangladesh and Italy-focused on safe migration, labour mobility, and skilled workforce deployment-held its last meeting in Bangladesh in July last year. The next round is expected to take place in Italy.
The meeting discussed ways for the future expansion of safe, orderly, and regular migration pathways by equipping migrants with skills, language proficiency, and making regular pathways more attractive.
The need to link skill training with employment opportunities and collaborate with employers in destination countries to establish employment-guaranteed migration frameworks was underlined for a well-managed regular migration pathway.
The State Minister also opined that the Bangladeshi diaspora should be engaged so that they could contribute more through remittances, capital, expertise, and ideas imbued with the vision of "Bangladesh First" to push Bangladesh onto a development trajectory envisioned by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The meeting ended with a general agreement among all partners to continue working together in close coordination to curb illegal migration, promote regular migration, and maintain a humane, regular, and rights-based approach throughout the migration process.
