Speakers at a policy dialogue demanded migration to be declared as a thrust sector in the 6th Five Year Plan. Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) of the University of Dhaka organised the dialogue on Incorporating Migration Governance in the 6th Five-Year Plan at the Senate Bhaban of the University of Dhaka this morning.

Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui in her keynote presentation recommended for major restructuring of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. She recommended five departments be created that will include (a), recruitment and regulation, (b) welfare, (c) labour attaché, (d) Non-resident Bangladeshis (e) research and policy. She also suggested for creating a new directorate for the promoting the rights and welfare of the migrants.

Speaking as the chief guest of the occasion, Engr. Mosharraf Hossain, MP observed that because of its complex nature interventions relating to migration must be multi-sectoral. This is to be borne in mind while incorporating the issue of migration governance in the 6th Five Year Plan.

Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed, Chairman of PKSF, observed that with its 13% contribution to the GNP, migration should be treated as the second most important sector in formulating the next five year plan.

Mr. Mohammad Israfil Alam, MP, the Chair of the Standing Committee for Labour and Employment, pointed out that the government has already increased allocation for technical and vocational education. He advised incorporation of this process in the five year plan to access skilled labour market.
Dr. Zafar Ahmed Khan, Secretary of EWOE, highlighted the need for institutional strengthening through allocation of greater resource in the plan.

Highlighting the need for exploration of new labour markets, the Mr. Khorshed Alam Chowdhury, DG of BMET recommended linking language training with technical education in the five year plan.

Begun Shamsun Nahar, Joint Secretary of the Ministry underscored the need for greater coordination among various government agencies to effectively serve the migrant workforce.

Among others Mr. Abdul Malek, one of the secretaries of the Planning Commission, Mr. Nader Bin Mahbub of General Economic Division of Planning Commission, Dr. Nurul Islam of BMET, Kazi Abul Kalam of EWOE, journalists Parimol Palma and Shariful Hassan, and WARBE president Syed Saiful Haque participated in the discussion. The programme was presided over by Prof. Harun or Rashid, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka.