Italy: Italy is willing to hire more manpower from Bangladesh and undertake measures to ensure their safe migration. Visiting Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi informed this as he called on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, officials mentioned that issues of mutual interest, including safe and legal migration of Bangladeshis, combating human trafficking, and trade and investment, were discussed during the meeting held at State Guest House Jamuna. Matteo informed the Chief Adviser that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to visit Bangladesh sometime before September, as Rome is keen to “renew” and “relaunch” its bilateral cooperation with Dhaka.
The Italian Interior Minister expressed satisfaction with the Bangladeshi community in Italy, highlighting their youthfulness, hardworking nature, and successful integration into Italian society. He emphasized the need for more such manpower and expressed concern over the reliance on illegal means by some migrants to reach Italy, which he described as dangerous. Matteo stressed the importance of following the legal framework for migration.
The minister also addressed the issue of uncontrolled migrant arrivals by sea, labeling it as “very problematic” for Italy, and sought Bangladesh’s cooperation to eliminate illegal migration and organized crime. “We are here to propose a new way of cooperation policy,” he stated.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus expressed Bangladesh’s eagerness to work with Italy to stop illegal migration and human trafficking. He pointed out the role of international groups in luring Bangladeshis to Italy through illegal channels, stating that such actions create problems and that migrants become the sufferers, not beneficiaries, of human trafficking.
Prof Yunus recalled his meeting with the Italian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last year and affirmed that the two countries would work together closely to combat these issues.