The government plans to train one crore (10 million) skilled workers and send them to different countries over the next five years, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has announced.
The minister made the announcement on Wednesday, October 28, during a visit to the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Academy in Safipur, Gazipur, where he inspected employment facilities and various training programmes for Ansar members.
For many aspiring migrant workers in Bangladesh, overseas employment represents a chance to improve their families’ financial circumstances. However, some leave the country after selling land, borrowing money at high interest rates or using their families’ last savings. Many subsequently face recruitment fraud, exploitation by brokers and difficult working conditions abroad.
Against this backdrop, the minister’s announcement has raised expectations about expanding access to skills training and creating safer pathways for overseas employment.
He stressed that Bangladesh should not rely on illegal and dangerous routes for sending workers abroad. He also warned about the serious consequences of falling victim to fraudulent brokers who deceive prospective migrant workers.
The minister said that workers would receive appropriate training at the upazila level before being sent overseas. He also emphasised the importance of maintaining healthy competition among recruiting agencies.
If implemented effectively, these measures could help prospective migrant workers improve their skills and prepare for overseas employment. However, protecting workers from recruitment fraud and ensuring safe migration will remain important challenges. For many families, the financial consequences of deception can be devastating, particularly when they have borrowed heavily or sold their land to finance migration.
During the visit, the minister planted a tree and inspected the academy’s garment factory, canteen and various training centres. He assured those present of the necessary cooperation to support the development of training and employment opportunities.
Among those attending the programme were Major General Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, Director General of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Force; the secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment; Gazipur-1 constituency Member of Parliament Mujibur Rahman; and other senior officials.
Bangladesh’s economy benefits significantly from remittances sent by overseas workers. However, the success of the proposed initiative will depend not only on training and overseas recruitment but also on effective safeguards against fraud, fair recruitment practices and protection of workers’ rights.
For communities such as Kaliakair, the key expectation is that the proposed initiative will translate into practical opportunities, reduce the risks faced by migrant workers and prevent families from losing their savings to fraudulent recruitment schemes. Effective implementation and accountability will be crucial to turning the five-year target into tangible benefits for workers and their families.
— Daily Best News Desk • Fearless in the search for truth
Reported by Shakil Hossain Kaliakair (Gazipur) Correspondent • Edited by the Daily Best News desk. Send corrections to [email protected].
