Panel set up to improve expat services

The government has formed an inter-ministerial committee to strengthen coordination among relevant ministries and agencies to ensure expatriate-friendly services and improve support for Bangladeshi migrant workers.

According to a gazette notification, the committee will work to promote legal migration, expand overseas employment opportunities, identify challenges in the migration process, protect the welfare and rights of migrant workers abroad, and ensure they receive hassle-free and dignified services.

The body has also been tasked with simplifying and expanding expatriate-friendly services at airports and other service points, identifying shortcomings in the existing service delivery system, and recommending measures to address them.

The Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister will chair the committee, while the State Minister and Adviser to the ministry will serve as vice-presidents.

The committee will include the secretaries of the Ministries of Home Affairs, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Health Services Division, Civil Aviation and Tourism, and Women and Children Affairs.

Other members are the Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB), Director General of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), and Director General of the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board.

The Head of the Administration and Finance Wing of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment will serve as the committee’s member secretary.