Bangladesh, US discuss concerns

Bangladesh and the United States have discussed concerns with traffickers exploiting legal recruitment fees to trap migrant workers in debt-based coercion.

US Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons John Cotton Richmond had the discussion with Bangladesh government officials and partners between August 3-6, said the US Embassy yesterday.  US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller joined Ambassador Richmond for meetings in Dhaka with government officials from the foreign affairs, law, home, social welfare and expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment ministries.

Officials of the two countries also discussed the need to identify internal forced labour and sex trafficking, increase accountability for traffickers, and provide victims support services.

Ambassadors Miller and Richmond applauded the passage of the 2018-2022 National Action Plan and emphasised the importance of prosecution, protection and prevention in combating human trafficking.