International Migrants Day was celebrated in several districts across the country yesterday with a call to protect the rights of migrant workers and members of their families.
In Gaibandha
Marking the day, district administration and the office of District Employment and Manpower under the directives of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment jointly chalked out the elaborate programmes, said our correspondent.
In the morning, a big colorful rally was brought out from the premises of district collectorate building here and ended at the same venue after parading the main roads of the town.
Later, a discussion meeting was also held at the conference room of deputy commissioner with additional district magistrate M Shafiqul Islam in the chair.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) M Shamsul Azam attended the function and addressed as the chief guest and Sadar UNO Ashraful Momin Khan was present as the special guest.
The function was also addressed, among others, by principal of Technical Training College M Atiqur Rahman, manager (operation) of Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited, Gaibandha branch Atiqur Rahman, manager of Janata Bank Limited, Bridge Road branch Bolai Chand Sarker, manpower officer Nesarul Haque and journalist Sarker M Shahiduzzaman.
Manpower officer Nesarul Haque said currently, about one crore Bangladeshis are working in 160 countries of the world.
In Narsingdi
Our correspondent said district administration and Employment and Manpower office organized the discussion at Deputy Commissioner’s conference room in observance of the day.
Speakers at the discussion stressed the need for safety and security of the migrant workers through maintaining legal procedures.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Suriaya Begum addressed the discussion as the chief guest with Assistant Director of District Employment and Manpower Office Zahidul Islam in the chair.
Assistant Police Superintendent Khaled Ibna Malek and BSS Narsingdi District Correspondent Mohammad Abu Taher were present as special guests on the occasion.
The chief guest said Bangladeshi migrant workers are playing an important role in the country’s socioeconomic development by contributing to the foreign exchange reserve.
She said currently 90 lakh Bangladeshis were working abroad and about 24 lakh workers were sent to over 150 countries during the last five years.
“The country has received a total of $60 billion remittance during the period,” she added.
The ADC later handed over cheques among the meritorious students of offspring of Bangladeshi migrant workers.
Earlier, a procession led by the ADC was brought out in the district town which paraded different roads.
In Khulna
Several organizations arranged various programmes marking the day in the district, reports our correspondent.
In the morning, a discussion was held at the auditorium room of district commissioner. Among others, the function was addressed by divisional commissioner Md Abdus Samad, additional deputy commisioner Jahangir Hossain, Sultan Alam and Brac Bank co-coordinator Afroza Khatun. DC Mostofa Kamal presided over the function.
Earlier, a procession was brought out from in front of Shahid Hadis Park. The day was also celebrated in Madaripur, Shariatpur, Thakurgaon, Tangail and Mymensingh districts.
