Training manual to raise awareness among migrant workers

The manual containing specific information about some countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Malaysia, focuses on pre-migration decision, migration process, actual mobility, employment, accommodation facilities, and post-migration situation.

The manual also addresses the need to protect the migrants by providing information about the risks involved in irregular migration and the realities in the destination countries.

Launching the training manual at the Brac Inn Centre in the city, AKM Shamsuddin, secretary of the ministry of expatriate welfare and overseas employment, said the manual will help the potential migrant workers protect themselves from being cheated and harassed at home and abroad.

Welfare of the migrant workers should get special attention as the remittance they send is the second biggest source of foreign currency, he said.

Emphasising mass awareness about the complex migration process, IOM Regional Representative for South Asia Shahidul Haque said this manual will be very useful for female migrants, who are often more vulnerable.

Amir Hossain, joint secretary of the employment ministry, called for bringing down the migration cost.

"A person spends Tk 2 lakh to 3 lakh to get a job abroad, but sometimes comes back empty-handed, which is a great loss for them," he added.

The IOM with the support from the British High Commission published the training manual.

Wahid-Uz-Zaman, director general, and Mohammad Nurul Islam, director of Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training, Milli Sen Gupta, head of Human Rights and Press and Public Affairs of the British High Commission, Syed Saiful Haque, chairman of the Welfare Association for Returnee Bangadeshi Employees, and Sheikh Romana of Bangladesh Obhibashi Mahila Sramik Association, also spoke.