Manpower bureau discontinues emigration clearance card, training services contract with ‘Ami Probashi’

The Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) has not renewed its agreement with "Ami Probashi" – a digital platform used for online applications for emigration clearance cards and training management for aspiring migrant workers.

Two separate agreements with the platform expired on 20 April. The bureau, however, refrained from renewing those, citing allegations of irregularities and increased migration costs, sources at the bureau say.

A senior BMET official told The Business Standard on Wednesday that due to numerous complaints about the app launched under the previous government, they were instructed by the ministry not to renew the contract. 

"Especially concerning is the Tk700 BMET clearance card fee charged to migrants managing their visa individually. In addition, two other services cost Tk200, which increases the overall migration expense," said the official.

The official further said as part of efforts to reduce migrants' expenses, and as an alternative to Ami Probashi app, the government has meanwhile introduced a new platform developed by Buet. 

Aspirant migrants can apply for their clearance card through the new digital site: oc.bmet.gov.bd, developed by Buet. "It will be cost-free".

Besides, manual issuance of the card is still available as before, added the official.

However, users are still able to apply via the Ami Probashi app, as a third agreement with the platform officially expires in February next year. But, BMET is not approving the applications received via the app, causing them to remain pending, sources said.

As a result, at least 20 workers missed their flights, and some saw their visa validity expired. Those who missed flights had to apply manually for the clearance card and rebook their tickets at additional cost.

A Saudi-bound aspirant migrant from Gazipur, Md Faysal, told TBS that his travel agency applied for his BMET clearance card on 20 April via Ami Probashi, but it got stuck. "My flight was booked for 28 April, but had to be canceled as I did not receive the card."

Sources said around 4,500 candidates who enrolled for training using Ami Probashi are now unable to download their certificates. All of them are waiting to fly to Saudi Arabia and must submit these certificates for BMET clearance.

Asked about the issues, Director General of BMET Saleh Ahmed Mujaffor told TBS that they have not yet received any formal complaints.

According to Ami Probashi, over 2.7 million individuals have received clearance cards through the app over the past three years. Additionally, more than 3.2 million people completed pre-departure orientation (PDO) training, and 3,53,000 received general training through the platform.

Ami Probashi's Chief Strategy Officer M Tanvir Siddique told TBS that before the agreement expired, they wrote to the manpower bureau requesting an extension of the contract with a discounted service charge offer. 

"We look forward to the ministry allowing us to operate as a voluntary parallel system along with the governmental system so we can continue supporting the 3.5 million aspiring migrants who actively use Ami Probashi."