The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and launched three online-based reporting platforms to ensure decent work for millions of migrant workers.
Dr. Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, the secretary of the ministry, and Tuomo Poutiainen, Country Director of ILO for Bangladesh, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides, according to a press release issued on Saturday.
As per the MoU, the ministry and the ILO will work for skilling, re-skilling and up-skilling of migrant workers and ensuring skills recognition, better qualification standards for the trainers, and improved access through e-RPL and national skills passport platforms.
The MOU also unveiled three information management systems, including Online Complaints Mechanism, Labour Attaché Reporting System, Recruitment Agents Information Management System, developed with the support from ILO’s Swiss Development Cooperation funded project.
According to the press release, the three databases are a significant step towards fulfilling the commitments of the government’s digitisation pledges advocated in the 8th Five Year Plan.
“These systems should pave the way for more efficient and timely access to relevant information about migrant workers and recruiting agencies, even with the mobility limitations of the pandemic,” it added.
The ILO with the support from the European Union will profile 3,000 returnee migrants and their family members for support relating to market-driven skills trainings, enterprise development and skills recognition and job placement.
“The government is putting their highest efforts to the recognition of skills and market-oriented skills training for the migrant workers”- said Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed said at the event.
“In relation to the three online information systems that we launched today, the government also wants to build the capacity of the government officials so that they are able to analyse the data and contribute in the policy decision.” he added.
Representatives from the expatriate welfare ministry, Bangladesh Technical Education Board, different development partners, organisations that work for the migrant workers were present at the event.