Govt expands legal aid, welfare services for migrant workers abroad

The government has strengthened legal assistance for Bangladeshi migrant workers through labour welfare wings at overseas missions, with law firms or panel lawyers initially appointed at 11 missions.

The initiative aims to safeguard the workers' rights and security abroad and expand welfare services provided through Bangladesh missions, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament today (2 September).

Under the measures, he said, legal assistance is being provided to detained workers, while efforts have been strengthened to recover unpaid wages and compensation owed to workers.

The government has also stepped up efforts to rescue female workers facing danger and facilitate the repatriation of workers stranded due to disasters or political instability, he added.

The prime minister provided the information in response to a question from Musammat Shammi Akther, the MP from women's reserved seat-22, during the question-and-answer session, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.

Tarique said more than 1.5 crore Bangladeshis are currently working in 176 countries, and the government is taking various measures to ensure their dignity, rights, and welfare.

Administrative, legal, and welfare services for Bangladeshi workers abroad are being provided through 30 labour welfare wings at Bangladesh missions in 27 countries, funded by the Wage Earners' Welfare Board. Local staff and necessary logistical support are also being provided to these wings, he said.

To assist detained Bangladeshi workers, initiatives have been taken for the missions to visit prisons, detention centres, and camps in the respective countries, provide legal support, and take steps for their release, said the prime minister.

Mission officials are also visiting workplaces and residences to help resolve disputes with employers and recover unpaid wages and other dues, he added.

He said that for the safety of female workers, Bangladesh missions in several countries operate "safe homes" where distressed workers can stay following their rescue and, when necessary, be repatriated.

If a Bangladeshi worker dies abroad, the body is brought back home with funding from the Wage Earners' Welfare Board. The deceased worker's family also receives Tk3 lakh in financial assistance, while Tk35,000 is given at the airport to cover transportation and burial expenses, the prime minister said.

Medical assistance for workers returning home after being injured or falling ill abroad has been increased to up to Tk2 lakh from Tk1 lakh. The monthly allowance for children with disabilities of migrant workers has also been doubled to Tk2,000 from Tk1,000.

Tarique said the government is also providing overseas-bound workers with death insurance coverage of up to Tk10 lakh for five years against a one-time premium of Tk1,000.

Welfare desks and ambulance services are available at airports, while affordable accommodation is provided at the Wage Earners' Centre in Dhaka. A 24-hour call centre is also operating to address various problems faced by migrant workers and their family members, he said.

The government has also taken initiatives to rehabilitate returnee migrant workers. Under the Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE) project, 2,53,000 returnee workers have so far received income-generating training, referrals, and financial assistance for reintegration or rehabilitation.

According to the government, the measures are aimed at ensuring the safety and rights of Bangladeshis working abroad, strengthening the social and financial security of their families, and encouraging them to send remittances through legal channels.