Ratify UN convention to protect rights

They also called upon the government to establish migrant assistance centre at Bangladesh missions abroad.

Welfare Association of Repatriated Bangladeshi Employees (Warbe) organised the interactive discussion on the right of migrant workers at the auditorium of Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) in observance of the International Migrants Day.

Deputy Attorney General Advocate Adilur Rahman Khan presented a paper on "Regional Victim/Witness Protection Protocol to Combat Trafficking, Commercial Exploitation and Sexual Abuse of Women and Children in South Asia" with Dr Hamida Hossain in the chair.

The paper discussed about measures to protect the victims, stop harassment of the victims and the witnesses and responsibilities of the state parties.

Criticising the recruiting agencies for taking excess money and harassing the migrant workers, the speakers said around two lakh people go abroad every year and the country receives much remittance, but their rights and interests are not protected.

Dr Hamida said "Absence of a bilateral agreement is not letting the government to talk to the recipient country on labour issues properly. At the same time there is no migration policy in the country."

She urged the government to involve the organisations working for the migrant workers while making a migration policy.

Prof Mahmudur Rahman also spoke.Nurul Islam Molla of International Organisation of Migration presented a draft on "Policy for Ensuring Safe Migration: A Framework for Overseas Employment in South Asia."