Govt has specific plans to explore alternative labour market abroad: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday told the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) that his government has specific plans to explore alternative labour market abroad in view of recent instability in the Middle East, including Iran.

“Initiatives have been taken to sign bilateral agreements to expand alternative labour markets in different European countries such as Serbia, Greece, North Macedonia, Romania, Portugal, Brazil, Russia, etc.,” he said.

The Leader of the House said this while replying to a starred question from treasury bench member from Narsingdi-5 Md Ashraf Uddin in the House with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, in the chair.

Noting that high-level visits have been arranged to strengthen bilateral relations with various countries recruiting workers outside the Middle East, the premier said Bangladesh missions abroad have been instructed to explore labour markets and assess profession-based demand for Bangladeshi workers.In addition, local lobbyists and expert firms are being appointed based on recommendations from Bangladesh missions abroad, he added.

Mentioning that efforts are underway to reopen the Malaysian labour market, Tarique Rahman said, initiatives have also been taken to sign an agreement with Thailand regarding worker recruitment to open up the labour market in that country.

He also said that due to high demand for Bangladeshi workers in Japan, the scope of Japanese language and skills training has been expanded to increase the rate of sending workers to that country.

The Prime Minister said that Japanese language training is being provided in 53 TTCs. Moreover, steps have been taken to recruit instructors for Japanese, Russian, Arabic, German, and Italian languages, he said, adding, 41 instructors for different languages have already been appointed.

Replying to another question from treasury bench member from Faridpur-3 constituency Nayab Yusuf Ahmed, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh missions have been instructed to assess opportunities for employing Bangladeshi professionals like doctors, bankers, and engineers in the Middle East, as professionals from other countries are leaving due to war situations.

They have also been asked to report on sector-wise demand, he added.

Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, said that the loan limit for language student visas without collateral has been increased from Tk300,000 to Tk1,000,000.

He further said initiatives have been taken to re-send workers returning from abroad by giving training again and developing skills in line with international labour market demands.

In addition, the Prime Minister said, recognition and certification of previous education and work are being provided.