There is an urgent need to ensure socio-economic safety of the returnee migrants in the country, speakers told a discussion on Sunday.
They also suggested introducing forced saving schemes and insurance for the migrants with a part of the money they remit in this regard.
They came up with the suggestions at a discussion organised by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city, in observance of the International Migrants Day.
Expatriates' Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad attended the discussion as the chief guest while Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry Anisul Islam Mahmud was present as the special guest.
MEWOE secretary Ahmed Munirus Saleheen presided over the discussion.
Director General (DG) of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training or BMET Shahidul Alam, President of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) Abul Basher, and Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen spoke on the occasion among others.
Imran Ahmad said many changes have happened in the international migration arena, copping with which requires a good preparation.
"We have to be prepared also to adapt to the changes now taking place," he said, adding there are discussions to explore new labour market.
"Getting an optimum outcome with new labour markets largely depends on acquiring new skills and new trade," he added.
The ministry is working to simplify the expatriate-related activities in addition to the skill development programmes, he said.
Socio-economic safety of the migrant workers has become a vital issue in the post-pandemic period, the minister said.
"We are now working on the forced savings and insurance of the returnee workers," he said, adding migrants often return empty handed even sending millions of taka from abroad.
Anisul Islam Mahmud said the overseas workers should learn hosting country's language and know their culture in addition to enhancing their core skills.
He also underscored the need for fixing a rational rate on the remitted money to thwart inflow of illegal money from abroad.
Mr Mahmud also said lack of coordination in BAIRA is responsible for sending limited number of workers to Malaysia.
As per available data, nearly 30,000 workers went to Malaysia against the permission for nearly 115,000.
The BMET chief said there is a need for recognising the expatriates' contribution to their family, society and economy.
Mr Alam also underlined the need for loan facility for the migrants from any bank against the smart card, which will allow them to get loan from Probashi Kallyan Bank.
Tuomo Poutiainen observed that the recent changes related to migration across the world in post pandemic time have proved the strong need for move to rehabilitate them.
He also highlighted the need for smart and skilled labours and recognition for technical and vocational education.
After the discussion, the minister also distributed scholarship cheques among children of migrant workers and trophies among the Commercially Important Persons or CIPs (NRB).
