Past Events 2023

Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) and Bangladesh Parliamentarians’ Caucus on Migration and Development (BPCMD) have jointly organised a discussion session on Migrants’ health to mark the launch of the third vital signs report titled Killer Heat: Extreme Temperatures and Migrant Workers in the Gulf on June 24, 2023 at Dhaka. The programme is supported by UK based research organization FairSquare. The report captures the experiences five labour sending countries- Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Philippines, and Pakistan to the six Gulf States. The event was attended by parliamentarians, and medical practitioners, serving and retired state functionaries, academics, lawyers, CSOs, and members of the media. The report was presented by Dr. C R Abrar, Executive Director, RMMRU.

This report explores how extreme temperatures and the Gulf States’ abusive labour practices combine with devastating consequences for the health of migrant workers. The report finds that long-term exposure to extreme heat leads to chronic health problems which require lifelong treatment. Heat can severely impact internal organs, with the heart and kidneys being particularly susceptible to substantial damage. The report further notes that there is a very strong association between extreme heat and heart failure, heart attack, arrhythmia and stroke.

Dr. Md. Dilder Hossain Badal, Nephologist, Dhaka Medical College Hospital said that they received many patients with kidney problems working in the Gulf States. He stated the disease is largely caused by exposure to heat and not drinking enough water. Dr. Md. Monirul Islam, Critical Care specialist who served as a medical specialist in Saudi Arabia for over three decades said that every patient dies because of the heart failure and this cannot be assigned as a reason of death. He said in the Saudi medical protocol the reason of death is clearly assigned and documented, therefore the embassies of labour sending countries should ensure that the actual reasons for death is clearly stated in the documents that accompany the dead bodies of the migrant workers.

Ad. Khodeja Nasreen, MP said that most of the migrant workers go to the Gulf states by Sub-agents as a result while they are living in this unhealthy environment and extreme temperature they do not get any help from the authority. We should address and ensure all the health need and safety properly.

Dr. C R Abrar said an extreme rising temperature and climate change in the Gulf States is detrimental to migrant workers. Migrant workers have a huge contribution in the economy of both origin and destination countries so these countries must commit to protect their health.

The programme was attended by Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary, MP; Mr. Rana Mohammad Sohail, MP; Ms. Mahjabeen Khaled, former MP, Secretary General, BPCMD; Mr. Salim Reza, Full Time Member, National Human Rights Commission; Dr. Harunur Rashid, Professor, Sir Salimullah Medical College Mitford Hospital; Dr. Dildar Hossain Badal, MBBS, MD, Nephrologist, Dhaka Medical College Hospital; Mr. Kazi Abul Kalam, former Joint Secretary; Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, Former Director, BMET; other government functionaries, Journalists and civil society representatives.

Dr. C R Abrar, Executive Director, RMMRU shared the report findings and recommendations for both origin and destination countries. He stated that migrant workers enjoy very little denied access to healthcare in the Gulf States and made the point that there is a strong connection between the death rate and lack of the health care in the Gulf States. The programme was moderated by Mr. Md. Obaidul Haque, RMMRU EC member and Associate Professor of the University of Dhaka,
Dr. Badal said that they receive many patients with kidney problems that developed while working in the Gulf States. The physician attributed this to the migrants’ exposure to the heat and not consuming enough water to compensate for water lost as perspiration. Dr. Rashid said that in order to ascertain the causes of death Bangladeshi health authorities may consider performing autopsies on bodies that are returned from destination countries without a valid cause of death stated on the death certificate.

MP Patwary said that the Bangladeshi embassy in the destination country should be more proactive in ensuring that migrant workers can access healthcare in destination countries. Ms. Mahjabeen Khalid said that health of migrant workers was an important issue and it was largely ignored over the years. MP Sohail Rana said that every employer should ensure the healthcare of the migrants.

The study is based on the assumption that the decision of a Bangladeshi worker to migrate to the Maldives is influenced by three main factors: (1) the individual’s positive or negative evaluation of the Maldives; (2) the person’s perception of economic potential in the Maldives; and (3) perceived gainful economic opportunities, influenced by kinship-based relations, which describes the person’s perceived self-efficacy or ability to adjust with the Maldivian society. Field work on both documented and undocumented Bangladeshi migrants have conducted among 250 returnee migrants from the Maldives in three high migration intensity districts (Cumilla, Tangail, and Dhaka) and 120 current migrants in Male and Hulumale.

The event was attended by Mr. Tanveer Shakil Joy, MP; Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary, MP; Mr. Md. Touhid Hossain, former foreign secretary; Mr. Md. Shahidul Alam, NDC, Director General, BMET; Rear Admiral (retd.) Kazi Sarwar Hossain, former High Commissioner, Bangladesh Embassy in Maldives; Rear Admiral (Retd.) ASM A Awal, former High Commissioner, Bangladesh Embassy in Maldives; Dr. Syeda Rozana Rashid, Professor, University of Dhaka; Kazi Abul Kalam, former Joint Secretary; Dr. Md. Nurul Islam, Former Director, BMET; Mr. Ali Haider Chowdhury, Secretary General, BAIRA; Mr. Kazi Faisal bin Seraj, Country Representative, The Asia Foundation; journalists and civil society representatives.

DG of BMET Mr. Shahidul Alam said that Maldives can be a significant labour market for Bangladeshi workers and the foreign ministry needs to take step in this regard. MP Patwary said that steps should be taken so that undocumented migrant workers can remit money home without hassle through formal channels. MP Joy in his statement noted that, people want to migrate in the Maldives voluntarily as the living conditions are better than in other countries. Active collaboration of all stakeholders to tackle various challenges, emphasis on transferring skilled labour to the Maldives, launching of banking operations in the Maldives, and active involvement among stakeholders can help create a smooth migration corridor to the Maldives, the speakers noted.

The two day-long training session was organised on 24 and 25 May 2023 at BMET Conference Room. As per the direction of Hon’ble Senior Secretary, MoEOWE, Dr. Ahmed Munirus Saleheen that 87 newly selected agencies have to receive this training before getting the license. It aims to orient newly licensed recruiting agencies about the knowledge on ethical recruitment in migration management.

Md. Shahidul Alam. NDC, Hon'ble Director General of BMET graced the training as the Chief Guest. In his speech, he gave guidance on the agencies about their responsibilities and duties to protect the rights of migrants. Md. Ali Haidar Chowdhury, Secretary General of BAIRA and Premangshu Shekhar Sarker graced this training as the Special Guests.

This training has been enriched with the issue specific sessions facilitated by Hon'ble ADGs, Directors and Senior Officials from BMET, Hon'ble Joint Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries from MoEWOE. The two days long sessions were on Migration Act -2013, Overseas Employment and Migration Rules-2019, Overseas Employment Migration Management Rules 2017 and The Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012, Recruiting Agency Classification Rule 2020, Housekeeping Related Rules 2017 etc. Besides Administrative Matter in Recruitment Management, Ethical Recruitment practises, Challenges and mitigation strategies in recruitment management were also focused areas of discussion. At the end of the programme, the Chief Guest provided certificates to the participants for successfully completing the two days long training.

The training has started with a welcome speech from Marina Sultana, Director Programme, RMMRU and Mrs. Zohora Monsur Ela, has successfully coordinated and moderated the training. Near about 95 Proprietors, Managing Partners, Managing Directors and Representatives from 87 Agencies participated in this training.

In the next session, representatives of member organisations of BCSM participated in an open discussion on various issues highlighted in the report and labour migration like the working environment of the migrant workers, challenges in accessing health care, reproductive health care in the countries of destination etc.

Jasiya Khatoon, Director, WARBE Development Foundation mentioned, women migrant workers commonly hide health conditions such as diabetes and asthma. As a result, they become sick due to overwork in the countries of destination. So, reforms are needed in medical test for aspirant migrant workers. Besides, the government needs to have a strong system to track the overall well-being of the migrants working abroad with all the relevant data and information.

Accessing reproductive health care for women migrant workers in countries of destination was emphasized by Sabira Swapna, Project Officer, OKUP. In this regard, she shared the experience of a female migrant worker.

Access to health care for migrant workers in the countries of destination gets less attention all the time. A policy brief on this should be published, added Md. Syaduzzaman Mithu, Project Coordinator, BILS.

Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE Development Foundation and Co-Chair of BCSM mentioned that returnees suffer from various complex diseases due to lack of proper access to reproductive health care in the countries of destination. After returning home they suffer from depression and need counselling. After conducting the open discussion, he announced the end of the meeting through the closing remarks and vote of thanks.

RMMRU and the Vital Signs partnership is supported by the UK based organisation, FairSquare which is researching the causes of unnatural deaths of South Asian migrant workers in the Gulf destination countries and their access to health care issues. The report was the second in a series of three. It was published as part of the study.

With the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) has organised an inception meeting under the project of ‘REMA(K)ER: Returning Migrants Achieve Economic Resilience and Social Cohesion within their Communities’. The project focuses on empowering returning migrants and their families to contribute to the strengthening of social cohesion and achievement of economic resilience within their communities.

Specific Objectives of the Activity:

• Officially informed representatives of the relevant stakeholders on the Project’s concept, objectives and implementation plan;
• Shared information, align efforts of different stakeholders to ensure sustainability of the project;
• Discussed the implementation arrangement, including coordination mechanisms, as well as roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders to ensure synergies for supporting reintegration of the returning migrants and ensuring social cohesion;
• Drew up suggestions and recommendations from local government NGO, CSO, and other stakeholders for effective programme implementation.

A brief presentation was shared on the project activities with the participants. The discussion held in the event emphasized on the importance of safe migration and reintegration of returnee migrants workers. There was an open discussion session in the programme where the participants shared their expectations from the project, exchanged opinions and offer suggestions. In the inception meeting Mr. Alhaj Md. Ansar Ali B.Com, Chairman of Upazila Parishad, Kalihati, Tangail was present as the chief guest of the event. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Md. Nazmul Hussain, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Kalihati. Mr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman, Vice Chairman, Kalihathi, Mrs. Rina Parveen, Female Vice-Chairman and Mr. Md. Mehedi Hasan, Upazila Agriculture Officer, Kalihathi were present as special guest.  The event was moderated by Nazma Akhter, Field Coordinator of RMMRU.

Following are some remarkable comments in the meeting:

Mr. Alhaj Md. Ansar Ali B.Com, Chairman of Upazila Parishad, Kalihati, Tangail was present as the chief guest of the event. He said, “Migrants workers are migrate with hope of making more money for the sake of their family. They are the pillar of our economy. In migration cycle, there have two stages; pre departure plan and return plan. But most of our migrants’ workers are going to abroad with no pre plans. Besides, sometimes they misuse money which makes them more vulnerable. So, I would request RMMRU to work more on rehabilitation and reintegration programs of migrants”.

Mr. Md. Nazmul Hussain, Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Kalihati stated in the meeting, "We have many opportunities to work with migrants’ worker. Migrant workers positively contribute to the economic growth of the country. But due to carelessness and lack of proper planning, they are subjected to various kinds of harassment. Besides, even after returning from abroad, their situation is aggravated due to lack of knowledge on financial management of family. I request RMMRU to conduct more activities through this project to sensitise migrants and their families on these issues."

Mr. Md. Mehedi Hasan, Upazila livestock Officer, Upozilla Livestock Office, Kalihathi Tangail added that “Lack of skills keeps migrant in low paying jobs. They concern at the cost of decent living, nutrition, and health care. So, it is proved that migration of workers with internationally recognized vocational skills would enable securing higher paying jobs and better workplace protection. This would lead to better lives for the migrants, their families, and greater remittances for the country”.  On the other hand, temporary migrants are often successful in starting entrepreneurial activities after returning back to home. Upozilla Livestock office could support them through training and suggestions’ in this regard.

Learning from this Event:

• Effective engagement with stakeholders allows project to identify groups who will support proper implementation of the project;

• Engaging key stakeholders is crucial for successful strategic planning;
• This Inception meeting involves identifying, understanding and involving people who have a strong influence in the outcome of the project plan;
• This initiative will create scope of collaboration with GO, NGO, CSO to aware migrants workers on safe migration and reintegration process and financially literate the migrant community and support them to take entrepreneurial initiatives.

Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) and Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) jointly conducted a training titled “Enhancement of Capacity of Newly Licensed Recruiting Agencies for Ensuring Ethical Recruitment Practices” for newly licensed recruiting agencies with the support SIMS project of Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Bangladesh. The two day-long training session was organised on 9 and 10April 2023 at Auditorium of Bijoy 71, MoEWOE. It aims to orient newly licensed recruiting agencies about the knowledge on ethical recruitment in migration management, do’s and don’ts of overseas employment under Migration Act -2013, Recruiting Agent Licensing and Conduct Rules-2019 along with Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Policy – 2016.

The capacity building training graced by the Senior Secretary, MoEOWE, Dr. Ahmed Munirus Saleheen as the Chief Guest and chaired by Md. Shahidul Alam NDC. Director General, BMET. In the inaugural session the specials guests were Mr. Ali Haider Chowdhury, Secretary General, BAIRA and Md. Abul Basar, Project Director, Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Bangladesh. Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui, Founding Chair of RMMRU provided the welcome speech and shared the objectives of the training. In her speech she shared that”RMMRU has been organising this kind of training since 1999 and continued up to 2005 for promoting ethical recruitment. Today we involved newly licensed recruiting agencies to inform the rules and regulations for ethical recruitment. You are encouraged to share the challenges and possible solutions from the government and BMET to contribute in this sector confidently and significantly.”

The training was attended by 35 members from 18 newly licensed recruiting agencies who are mainly proprietors, managers and sales executives of the agencies nominated by BMET. The modality of this training is jointly designed by RMMRU and BMET where Mr. Mohammad Abdul Hi, PAA, Director of BMET, Mrs. Zohora Monsor, Deputy Director, Mr. Masud Rana, Senior Statistics Officer, BMET and Mr. Premangshu Shekhar Sarker and Nusrat Mahmood, Project Manager and Ms. Marina Sultana, Director Programme,RMMRU facilitated the training as per the guidelines/modules.

Achievement of this Training

1. MoEWOE made this two days long training mandatory for newly licensed recruiting agencies’ proprietors and managers through a government circular where 87 agencies have to receive this training before getting the license according to the commitment of the senior secretary of MoEOWE in the training. In the training he stated that” No license will be issued from now until the recruiting agency's proprietor receives this two-day long training and certificates.  It will be effective from the next session.” The link  of circular is: 
   www.bmet.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/bmet.portal.gov.bd/notices/2db2923d_d94a_4bfc_9d9d_d6e0a74f85d0/2023-04-30-08-37-98559c5a419e1c7f145364411ec68931.pdf

2. The government has acknowledged this training where the DG said that “this two-days long training is considered as the foundation training for newly licensed recruiting agencies. This training modality is designed comprehensively to make the eligible in this market, to make you successful and reduce the fraudulence in recruitment management. This capacity building training will act as the mentoring system so that you can be guided according to the law along with rules and regulations. “
3. This training is highlighted by the media as well where DESH TV telecasted news on this training.

The link of the coverage is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kD6PAhY62xc

A two-day capacity enhancement workshop of lawyers, journalists and CSOs in ensuring access to justice for the migrant workers was organized by Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) with the support of The Asia Foundation on 17 and 18 February, 2023 at BCDM, Savar, Dhaka. Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua and Advocates Farida Yeasmin and Tajul Islam, Udisa Islam, Special Correspondent, Bangla Tribune; Kazi Abul Kalam, former Joint Secretary, MoEWOE; Dr. Nurul Islam, migration expert; Binoy Krishna Mallick, Executive Director, Rights Jessore; Rezaur Rahman Lenin, researcher and activist and Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj, Country Representative, The Asia Foundation attended the workshop as Resource Persons and Panelists. Lawyers from three district and sessions’ judge courts, journalists and members of civil society organisations also participated.

The aims of the workshop were to examine the scope of the 2013 Migration Act and the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012; the experiences of lawyers in higher judiciary and the field experience of ongoing cases in the lower courts; shortcomings of BMET arbitration and its possible guidelines; the experiences of ADR mechanism in migration related disputes; and the role of civil society and media in securing migrants’ access to justice.

On the first day after the welcome address by CR Abrar Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua conducted a session on comparative analysis of the Overseas Employment and Migrants Act, 2012 and the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2013. Farida Yeasmin and Md.Tajul Islam conducted sessions on the scope and shortcomings of the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism of the existing law in settling migration related disputes. There is a rule for arbitration mentioned in the Act of 2013, what is there is not standard, mentioned Md. Tajul Islam. Then lawyers from three districts presented the prevailing scenario of migration and human trafficking cases in their respective districts. They said that generally civil cases are not filed in those courts due to lack of necessary evidence and documents. The first day's activities concluded with a session on scope for judicial activism for protecting rights of migrants.

On the second day, after the recap of issues covered in Day 1 two panel discussions were held on the role of media and civil society in ensuring access to justice for migrant workers. The speakers noted local level journalists can play a vital role in projecting migrants’ experiences in accessing justice at the grassroots level in the media.

On both the days, participating lawyers, journalists and members of civil society organisations took part in open discussions and exchanged insights and experiences. The workshop concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj and vote of thanks by CR Abrar.

The objective of this workshop was to share evidence-based policy suggestions to ensure protection of the female migrant workers abroad, and pursue a rapid response mechanism to support the affected women migrant workers and their families. The recommendations derived from the study believed to support to pursue effective reinvestigation procedures and easy legal access in cases of suspicious deaths of women migrant workers in the destination countries.

While sharing the findings of the study Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui, Founding Chair, RMMRU shared that 69% of the deceased female migrant died of natural causes. However, in case of Saudi Arabia 24% had died committing suicide. The research shows that unnatural death are recorded only in labour receiving countries, no case of unnatural death reported in non-labour receiving Asian and developed western countries. She shared that the migrant families are not aware about the rights and entitlements of the deceased migrant. 56% received information of the demise of their migrant family member within-five days of death. 48% of the interviewed family members of the deceased female migrants under this research said that they did not trust the cause of death assigned in the death certificate. In cases of compensation there are also much to do. Dr. Siddiqui also added that receiving the dead body of the deceased is a new ball gain altogether. Household members hardly had any information on how to proceed. No designated place is there for the dead bodies. They are kept inside premises on a temporary

arrangement. Papers, documents, attestations required is in different places. Families have hard time in finishing all the documentation in a reasonable time.

From the participants, CSO, media, medical experts and international organization representatives suggested to add sessions on raising awareness about the work environment as well as migrants’ rights and the awareness about the physical and mental fitness during the Pre-departure orientation session. Ms. Ms. Tapati Saha from UN Women said the government should ensure the workplace safety through bilateral treaties or agreement or any other means specially in case of domestic work sector as most cases of death is happening in this sector.

Mr. Md. Shahidul Alam, NDC, DG, BMET and the special guest of the event applauded the research initiative. He requested to include the segregated roles of the BMET, WEWB and other government line agencies in these death cases of women migrant workers so that a smooth and immediate service can be ensured.
Mr. Md. Selim Reza, Full time member of NHRC recommended to give importance on digitalization on maintaining data of death cases. A mobile app can also be developed to provide service and receive complaints of the family members of the deceased migrant workers. He also emphasized on enhancing the quality of the training provided by BMET and urged WEWB to come forward to give direct service. He recommended to select a nominee beforehand migrating to the abroad so that in cases of death in destination countries, the family can get the compensation in no time.

Mr. Rana Mohammad Sohail, MP, member of Parliament Caucus on Migration and Development who was present as the Guest of Honour said that the work contract should be concrete otherwise the negotiation with the destination countries in such cases would become weak. There should be contractual obligation in the work contract regarding postmortem and investigation in the destination countries to force it with legal bindings.

The Chief Guest of the event, Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Chairman, NHRC said such research is commendable as the human rights of the vulnerable migrant workers are recognized through this work. This research clearly shows there are needs of reinvestigation, provide safety, so the government, CSOs, and other responsible institutions must work in these cases. The responsible stakeholders must raise the issues and be vocal in the international forum like GFMD, Abu Dhabi Dialogue, Colombo Process etc.

Barrister Shameem Haider Patowary, MP, Chairperson of Bangladesh Parliamentarians’ Caucus on Migration & Development and chair of the dissemination workshop said the research is very timely initiative and suggested to include agency-wise data in terms of death cases in the destination countries so that the migrant workers can be aware from whom they should take services. He recommended to appoint a female police officials and doctors at the airport in the origin country who will initiate a primary postmortem of the dead body. Beside emphasizing on the digitalization, he highlighted the need of regular follow up and communication with the female migrant workers abroad weekly or fortnightly to ensure their workplace safety. One stop service at the destination country can be an important addition to safety measures for the female migrant workers. He also urged to appoint the experts/officials from the MoEWOE to the destination country as counselor or welfare officer so that the service towards migrant workers will be more concrete.