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বাংলা E-Paper 📍 Dhaka 📅 Wednesday | 14 October 2026, 29 Ashswin 1433 PID registration number 06

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Protecting migrant workers’ rights, safety a state responsibility: President

Published : Wednesday, 14 October, 2026 at 5:59 PM

Observer Online Report

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for lower migration costs, transparent recruitment and strict action against fraud and middlemen, saying the state must ensure the rights, safety and dignity of Bangladeshi migrant workers.

He made the remarks while addressing a programme marking the 30th anniversary of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) and the award presentation and closing ceremony of ‘Sonar Manush Sammilan 2026’ at the Ruposhi Bangla Grand Ballroom of Hotel InterContinental in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The president said migrant workers made significant sacrifices to secure jobs abroad, often selling land, taking loans and spending their families’ savings. Yet many faced fraud, excessive migration costs, uncertain employment and failure to receive salaries as stipulated in their contracts.

He stressed the need for transparent recruitment, measures to prevent fraud and effective action by the relevant institutions to address these problems.

Calling for stronger protection of Bangladeshis working abroad, the president urged Bangladesh’s diplomatic missions to take a more active and worker-friendly approach so that distressed migrants could receive assistance and have their rights protected.

He said workers should be given clear information about their employment contracts, salaries, working conditions and legal rights before leaving the country. This would help them understand the risks of fraud and uncertain employment abroad.

The president described remittances and the ready-made garment industry as two major drivers of Bangladesh’s economy. Remittances help meet the country’s foreign currency needs, cover import costs and support economic growth and stability.

He said migrant workers sent more than $35 billion in remittances to Bangladesh in the 2025-26 financial year, improving the living standards of millions of families and strengthening the national economy.

Noting that nearly 15 million Bangladeshi migrant workers contribute to the country’s economy, he said recognising their contributions and ensuring their dignity were responsibilities of the state.

He added that migrants represented Bangladesh abroad and acquired knowledge, experience and skills that could become valuable national assets.

The president emphasised that overseas employment policies should focus not only on increasing the number of workers sent abroad but also on skills, suitable jobs and safe migration.

He said demand was growing in international labour markets for technical knowledge, language proficiency, technology use and professional training. Skilled workers were particularly needed in artificial intelligence, information technology, automation, nursing, healthcare, elderly care, electrical and electronic technology, and modern construction.

He urged public and private training institutions to develop workers according to international labour market requirements. Training and recruitment plans, he said, should be based on accurate information about the number of workers needed in each country and the qualifications required.

He also called for stronger partnerships with foreign employers and training institutions to improve employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers.

The president stressed the need to protect the safety, rights and dignity of women migrant workers. He also highlighted the importance of encouraging migrants to invest their savings in productive sectors, rehabilitating returning workers, recognising their acquired skills, providing access to credit and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship.

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