Bangladesh, UK stress joint efforts to curb irregular migration, human trafficking
The two sides also discussed skills development, safe migration and cooperation in English, technical and vocational training.
Bangladesh and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed strengthening cooperation to prevent exploitation, irregular migration and human trafficking while developing skilled workers for international labour markets.
The issue was discussed during a meeting between Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury and British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke at the ministry today (9 August), according to a press release.
The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring safe and decent employment opportunities and protecting the rights, dignity and welfare of migrant workers.
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He sought UK assistance in English-language, technical and vocational training to develop skilled workers in line with the requirements of the British labour market.
He also called for UK support to strengthen the capacity of existing technical training centres and Institutes of Marine Technology, particularly in green and digital skills.
The minister stressed the importance of continuing the Reintegration and Advancement of Skills and Employment (RAISE) project, implemented with support from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the International Labour Organization and the World Bank, to support the sustainable reintegration of returnee migrants.
He also proposed forming a joint working group to translate bilateral discussions into concrete initiatives and oversee cooperation in migration and skills development.
State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque said Bangladesh could establish links between its training centres and UK institutions to develop workers with internationally recognised qualifications.
He said sending certified workers to labour markets in Europe and elsewhere could encourage more young Bangladeshis to migrate through legal channels.
British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke expressed her country's interest in working with Bangladesh to develop skilled workers in line with international labour-market demand.
She also raised concerns over safe, regular and affordable labour migration from Bangladesh and said the UK was ready to strengthen cooperation to improve migration management.
The high commissioner also expressed support for implementing the Global Compact for Migration.
On irregular migration to the UK, Cooke said the British government and public had adopted a strict stance on asylum seekers.
She said Bangladesh is currently among the top five countries of origin for asylum seekers in the UK, adding that only a small proportion of recent applications from Bangladeshis had been approved, while rejected applicants were being returned to their countries of origin.
She said rejected asylum seekers who voluntarily return to Bangladesh could receive up to £3,000 in financial assistance for reintegration, but the support would not apply to those deported through legal procedures.
Justice and Home Affairs Counsellor at the British High Commission Ryan Duncanson and senior officials from the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment were also present at the meeting.
