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Free migration to Italy possible through language, skills training: adviser
Published : Tuesday, 3 November, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Observer Online Report
Bangladeshi workers may get an opportunity to migrate to Italy free of cost through language and skills training, with a pilot programme expected to begin soon, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and Labour and Employment Mahdi Amin has said.
He made the announcement at a seminar titled ‘Language, Civic and Occupational Training for Skilled Migration to Italy’ at Hotel Regency in Dhaka on Tuesday.
Mahdi Amin said the programme would combine Italian language lessons, job-specific skills development and training in professional conduct and values. The government aims to expand the model nationwide and implement it across different sectors.
The seminar was jointly organised by the Italian Embassy and its international development partners.
The adviser said ensuring skilled, orderly and affordable overseas employment was a key priority of the new government. He stressed the need for a transparent and structured migration process that would significantly reduce recruitment costs and, where possible, make migration free of charge.
He said the initiative could help Bangladesh make better use of its young workforce and expand opportunities for skilled workers in international labour markets.
Mahdi Amin urged representatives of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) to work together to integrate the Italian initiative into national policy.
He said the government was ready to provide the necessary policy support to expand the model to other sectors and countries, as well as introduce training in additional foreign languages.
Referring to more than 250,000 Bangladeshis living in Italy, the adviser acknowledged their contributions to the country's economy and society, as well as the importance of their remittances to Bangladesh.
He said the main challenge was to provide young people with proper guidance, equip them with relevant skills and create access to international employment opportunities.
The adviser also said the government was planning to introduce a ‘Probashi Card’ to ensure social and financial security for expatriate Bangladeshis, following the model of the Family Card and Farmers Card.
He added that the government was prioritising the teaching of a third language alongside Bangla and English. Plans are also under way to incorporate Italian and other international languages into technical and vocational education curricula.
Addressing the trainees, Mahdi Amin said their training would help them build careers and set examples of skilled and dignified employment abroad.
Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro, European Union Ambassador Michael Miller, International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission in Bangladesh Dr Laura Tomm-Bonde, Italian Deputy Head of Mission Federico Zamparelli, EU Delegation Deputy Head Baiba Zarina and Italian Embassy Migration Adviser Giuseppe Di Giovanni also spoke at the seminar.
Under Article 23 of Italy's Migration Law 2023, pre-departure training programmes approved by the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies can provide skilled workers with a legal entry route outside the annual quotas set under the country's Flow Decree.
The training includes basic Italian language lessons, an introduction to Italian society and civic life, and job-specific skills development. Participants in ongoing hotel and restaurant sector and textile training projects also attended the seminar.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
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