Dhaka: Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has emphasized the need to work jointly with the United Kingdom to create skilled and quality human resources, ensure safe and quality employment, and protect the rights, dignity, and overall welfare of migrant workers.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Chowdhury made these remarks during a courtesy meeting with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke at his office today. The meeting was also attended by Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment State Minister Md. Nurul Haque and Ministry Secretary Md. Mokhtar Ahmed.
The minister expressed the expectation of UK assistance in English language, technical, and vocational training to develop skilled and internationally competitive manpower in line with the demands of the UK labour market. Chowdhury further emphasized maintaining the continuity of sustainable rehabilitation and social reintegration of returnee migrant workers through the ongoing 'RISE' project, implemented in partnership with FCDO, ILO, and the World Bank.
During the meeting, State Minister Md. Nurul Haque suggested that training centres in Bangladesh could be connected with various UK institutions to create skilled manpower according to the demands of the European labour market. British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke expressed interest in working jointly with the Bangladesh government to create skilled manpower in accordance with international labour market demands.
She also highlighted the UK's concerns regarding safe, regular, and cost-effective labour migration from Bangladesh and informed the meeting about efforts to strengthen cooperation to improve the migration system.