Special Correspondent :
In a promising development for Bangladesh’s overseas employment sector, Italy has expressed willingness to hire more workers from Bangladesh under its regular migration programs.
The move is expected to open new avenues for thousands of Bangladeshi job seekers in the European country.
Visiting Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi on Monday informed Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus that Italy will undertake measures to ensure safe migration from the country.
Matteo conveyed to the Chief Adviser that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to visit Bangladesh sometime before September, as Rome is keen to “renew” and “re-launch” its bilateral cooperation with Dhaka.
The Italian Minister called on Prof Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna discussed issues of mutual interest, including safe and legal migration of Bangladeshis, combating human trafficking and trade and investment.
“We have a great Bangladeshi community in Italy. We are really satisfied with the Bangladeshi community as they are young, hardworking, and have integrated into Italian society perfectly. We need more of them in Italy,” he said.
“The reason I am here is to share with you that many of them rely on illegal means to reach Italy, which is dangerous. We want the ones who follow the legal framework,” the Italian Minister added.
He said the uncontrolled arrival of migrants by sea is “very problematic” for the European nation and sought Bangladesh’s cooperation to eliminate illegal migration and organized crime. “We are here to propose a new way of cooperation policy.”
The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh is eager to work with Italy to stop illegal migration and human trafficking.
“Bangladeshis living in Italy are very grateful to the host country and appreciative of the way they are treated in Italy,” Prof Yunus said.
He said there are international groups of people who try to lure them to Italy in an illegal way. “These are the people who create problems.”
“Migrants are the sufferers, not the beneficiaries, of human trafficking,” Prof Yunus said.
The Chief Adviser recalled his meeting with the Italian Prime Minister on the sidelines of UNGA in New York in September last year and said the two countries would work together closely to combat the issues.
Italy, one of the largest destinations for Bangladeshi migrants in Europe, has already included Bangladesh in its Decreto Flussi (Flow Decree) program for seasonal and non-seasonal workers. The country is currently facing a labor shortage in several sectors and is actively seeking skilled and semi-skilled manpower from outside the EU.
Officials from both sides are expected to finalize agreements in the coming weeks, including potential Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on labor mobility and skills development.
Over 150,000 Bangladeshis currently live in Italy, forming one of the largest Bangladeshi diasporas in Europe. They have contributed significantly to the Italian economy while sending valuable remittances back home.
Observers say the latest development could pave the way for a new labor agreement and further institutionalize cooperation on migration, skill development, and worker rights.
Further announcements are expected following high-level meetings in the coming months.
