Dhaka:President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged the need for safe migration and the creation of decent employment opportunities to enhance Bangladesh's global standing. He emphasized developing skilled workforces as a crucial step in achieving this goal.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the President spoke at an event at Hotel InterContinental, commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) and the Sonar Manush Sammilan-2026. He called on all stakeholders, including the government and opposition, to collaborate in safeguarding migrant rights and ensuring their protection.
The President highlighted the significant role expatriates play in the economy, noting that they sent over 35 billion US dollars in remittances during the 2025-26 fiscal year. He stressed the importance of preparing expatriates as skilled workers before they go abroad, as many currently leave without adequate preparation or proper documentation.
President Alamgir shared his observations of the challenging conditions faced by Bangladeshi expatriates, who often live in difficult circumstances while contributing significantly to the economy through remittances. He emphasized that expatriates deserve the highest respect for their contributions.
He also addressed the issue of increased expenses for expatriates, attributing these to intermediaries and agencies that exploit workers. The President called for punitive actions against such unscrupulous middlemen and highlighted government initiatives like vocational training centers and the introduction of 'Expatriate Card' to support expatriates.
The President concluded by acknowledging the contributions of expatriates in various sectors, including the struggle against fascism, and called for serious attention to implementing the proposed 'Migration Decade' to further protect migrants.