Dhaka:The Government and the United Nations have initiated a Joint Programme aimed at assisting migrants and returnees in rebuilding their lives with dignity and accessing essential social support.
According to United News of Bangladesh, this 30-month initiative collaborates with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) to address the reintegration needs of Bangladeshi migrants and returnees in the medium to long term.
The programme is supported by the UN's Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) and focuses on strengthening social protection mechanisms and promoting social inclusion, particularly for vulnerable women, children, and crisis-affected migrants. The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment will lead the implementation of the programme.
Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Dr. Laura Tomm Bonde, IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. The signing ceremony was attended by A. K. M. Sohel, Additional Secretary and Chief of the UN Wing at ERD; MoEWOE Additional Secretary Md Saiful Haque Chowdhury; and Dr. Kazi Shahjahan, Joint Secretary of the UN Wing of ERD, along with representatives from the ministry, IOM, ILO, UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA, and other government agencies.
Dr. Laura emphasized that the Joint Programme aims to build a coordinated and migrant-centered reintegration ecosystem to support the Government of Bangladesh.
Since 2004, more than 13 million Bangladeshis, including over one million women, have traveled abroad for work, according to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). The programme aligns with Bangladesh's reintegration goals and the Global Compact's Objective 21 on dignified return and sustainable reintegration, as well as advancing the 2030 Agenda, particularly SDGs 5, 8, and 10, on gender equality, decent work, and reduced inequalities.