Increase skill of workers to ensure safe migration
Speakers tell seminar
Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) Executive Director Shaheen Anam speaks at a seminar on 'developing skills of migrant workers, current market demand and way out' at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city yesterday. On her right are Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, Dr Nurul Islam and Ali Haider Chowdhury and on her left are Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Kazi Abul Kalam. Photo: STAR
Speakers at a seminar yesterday stressed the need for increasing facilities of skill development training for migrant workers to boost their skill and confidence and enable their negotiating capability. It is not possible to ensure safe migration without education and skills, they said, adding that integrated effort of the government and private organisations is a must for developing skills of migrant workers. They also said the government needs to have a long-term visionary perspective plan for this sector which contributes around 11 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP). Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) organised the seminar titled “Developing skills of migrant workers, current market demand and way out” at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city. ”Safe migration is only possible through education and skills,” said Barrister Anisul Islam Mahmud, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on expatriate welfare and overseas employment ministry. If the migrant workers are provided with proper education and skills, the case of fraudulence with them will decrease significantly, he said, adding private participation has to be encouraged here. He said the government will have to take some long term plans, emphasis and invest more on skilled based education than general education, and give stimulus to those who are contributing to this sector. Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) Director Dr Nurul Islam said when the demand of skilled workers is increasing globally around 50 per cent the migrant workers of the country are going abroad as less skilled. “We face most of the problems of these skilled workers,” he said. Mentioning that the government is reorganising the skill development training system, he said apart from the existing 38 technical training centres, BMET will soon launch 35 more centres which would enable training to around one lakh people. Blasting the government, Ali Haider Chowdhury, secretary general of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira), said although this sector is contributing huge to the national economy this sector has not been announced as thrust sector yet. He suggested that the private sector should be given the priority for skill development with the government acting as associate force here. MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam moderated the seminar while Unnayan Anneshan Chairman Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir presented the keynote paper. Speakers at another programme voiced for building skilled manpower with technical and vocational education and producing new products to move the country forward, said a press release. Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment and Debate for Democracy jointly organised the debate competition programme titled "Expansion of vocational education can extend the foreign labour market of Bangladesh" at BICC in the city. Speaking as the chief guest, Anisul Islam Mahmud said, "Around 30 lakh people are entering job markers every year and keeping pace with modern world and considering the demand we have to make proper plans and ensure training.” Dr Jafar Ahmed and Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron also spoke.
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