In the present context, Bangladesh alone cannot tackle the migration issue, which will continue as a major system loss if migrants are not brought under comprehensive framework coverage, said Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque.
The foreign affairs secretary addressed the “National Sharing and Validation Workshop on Migration Governance Framework” organized by the International Organisation of Migration (IOM) at Bangabandhu International Conference Center in Dhaka on Tuesday.
He added that a comprehensive framework for migration governance is a must for Bangladesh to make it a transit country for migration so that migrants from other countries can work in Bangladesh.Adopting such a framework is an uphill task for the country.
Migration is a highly political issue and not a technical one across the world, he said, adding that Bangladesh is considered a country of origin when it comes to migration (people emigrate from Bangladesh to other countries).
According to him, tens of thousands of foreigners are working in Bangladesh but the government just issues visas to them instead of focusing on their immigration status -- an issue that needs insertion into the framework.
Domestic and international migrations are intertwined, irrespective of climate change issues or poverty, he observed.
The problem of internally displaced persons (IDP) is not mentioned in the framework which should have been added, the foreign affairs secretary continued, saying international migration in Asia is never taken seriously.
Shahidul said the protection issue is well considered for refugees globally but not for migrants. Migrants do not receive similar benefits.
“We hesitantly admit that protection for migrants is internationally overlooked,” he said.
The migration issue, he said, is treated as one related to labourers alone and not as a principal issue.
Audrey Maillot, team leader of governance, European Union (EU), said having a comprehensive framework for migration is very important and a proper labour migration from a country like Bangladesh is key to its national economic growth.
The EU also prefers a pragmatic governance framework and gives priority to several South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, in the case of long-term migration, she concluded.
Dr Abul Barakat, chief advisor to the Human Development Research Centre, gave a presentation on the framework at the event. Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry Joint Secretary, Md Shujayet Ullah , and IOM Bangladesh Officer-in-Charge, Sharon Daminche, also addressed the event.
