Trade Union-Civil Society Action Alliance launched for migrant workers' welfare

A new joint coalition of trade unions and civil society organisations, named the Trade Union-Civil Society Action Alliance (TUCSAA), was launched on Monday (10 November) in Dhaka to promote the well-being, rights, dignity, and safety of Bangladeshi migrant workers.

The organisers expressed their hope to strengthen and reintegrate collective demands for the rights and welfare of migrant workers. The launching event, held at the National Press Club in Dhaka, was organised in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and supported by the Embassy of Switzerland.

"The alliance is a joint initiative of both trade unions and civil society organisations, with the primary goal of identifying the challenges faced by migrant workers and emphasising skill development," said Naimul Ahsan Jewel, member secretary of the National Coordination Committee for Workers Education (NCCWE), at the event.

He noted that Bangladeshi female migrant workers earn only 14 cents per hour, while their counterparts in India and Nepal earn up to three times more.

Shakil Akhter Chowdhury, convener of TUCSAA, highlighted several current challenges facing Bangladeshi migrant workers, including passport-related complications and financial hardships.

In its written statement, TUCSAA said, "This alliance will play an important role in amplifying grassroots voices and ensuring that workers' concerns reach policymakers. Its goal is to strengthen collective actions on migrant workers' rights, ensure accountability in labour migration governance, build unity against corruption and irregular practices, and promote the dignity, socio-economic security, welfare, and reintegration of migrant workers."

The statement added that the alliance will work on issues such as forming a coordination committee, mapping civil society organisations at district and national levels, capacity building, gap analysis, remittance and financial support reforms, support for women migrant workers, and skill development and training.

Additionally, the platform will also work on inclusive policy making and issues related to climate and migration.

According to Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) data, between 2004 and 2024, about 1.35 crore Bangladeshi workers went abroad for employment.

Jasiya Khatoon, member secretary of TUCSAA, presented the keynote paper, while labour leader Anwar Hossain also spoke at the event, among others.