Govt plans to send 1cr skilled workers abroad

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has announced the government’s plan to send 10 million skilled workers abroad over the next five years.

The Minister provided this information on Thursday (July 9) in response to a starred question during the session of the National Parliament.

He further stated that, as part of implementing the government’s election manifesto, the Ministry has formulated an action plan aimed at consolidating, expanding, and securing overseas labor markets by developing skilled workers suited for overseas employment and addressing their language-related challenges.

In response to a question from Mohammad Jahidul Islam Dholu, Member of Parliament for the Naogaon-5 constituency, the Minister stated that the Banda Baria Technical Training Centre (TTC) at the Naogaon district headquarters and the Raninagar Technical Training Centre in Raninagar Upazila have been established.

These centers aim to transform unemployed youths and women from all upazilas of Naogaon district—including the Sadar Upazila—into a skilled workforce and prepare them for employment.

Currently, unemployed youths and women are undergoing training in various trades at these two centers.

He also mentioned that modern, high-quality trade programs—such as IT, caregiving, and driving—aligned with international market demands would be implemented at every center.

In response to a supplementary question from Tahsina Rushdir, Member of Parliament for the Sylhet-2 constituency, the Minister stated, “The government plans to create local employment opportunities by transforming less-educated men and women—as well as widows—from remote areas of the country into a skilled workforce. This program will be implemented across all areas in phases.”

In response to a question from Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, a member representing a reserved seat for women, Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury stated that ‘Expatriate Welfare Desks’ established at three of the country’s airports are assisting outbound and returning workers with services such as luggage wrapping, luggage retrieval, document printing, photocopying, attestation, and immigration and customs procedures.

Additionally, the ‘Probashi Cafe’ offers expatriates amenities such as free Wi-Fi, television, newspapers, and free telephone facilities, along with meals at affordable prices and a 30% discount.

Regarding workers who pass away abroad, the Minister stated, “It is under this government that—for the first time in Bangladesh—all costs associated with bringing the mortal remains back to the country, transporting them to the home, and performing the burial rites are being covered at state expense.”

“They are being trained as skilled workers at every training center to facilitate the e-passport process for expatriates and to ensure the safety and dignity of female workers.”

In response to a question from reserved-seat MP Mosammat Nazmunnahar regarding the repatriation of female migrant workers currently in foreign prisons, the Minister stated, “Many expatriate workers held in prisons across various countries have already been brought back through coordination with the respective embassies.”