Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today stressed stronger district-level action to curb illegal migration, protect expatriates from broker syndicates, and address climate challenges across vulnerable regions.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, after attending the District Commissioners’ Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, Shama emphasized that the government has issued specific directives to district administrators to prevent illegal migration and safeguard migrant workers from falling victim to fraudulent recruiting networks and human traffickers abroad.
She highlighted that district commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to play a proactive role in raising public awareness and strengthening local monitoring to ensure aspiring migrant workers are not misled by broker syndicates.
Shama further stated that the DCs were directed to activate vocational training centres nationwide to enhance skills development, aiming to create safer and more sustainable overseas employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers.
The conference also addressed the growing impacts of climate change in different parts of the country, with an emphasis on strengthening the role of local administrations in tackling climate-related risks and protecting vulnerable communities.
Responding to a question on regional diplomacy, Shama remarked that India’s election is its internal matter, and that bilateral foreign relations between Bangladesh and India would continue to be guided primarily by Bangladesh’s own foreign policy priorities.
‘India’s election is India’s internal issue. Bangladesh’s foreign relations with all countries, including India, will be conducted based on Bangladesh’s national policy and interests,’ she asserted.