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Friday | October 09, 2026 | Dhaka

BD, UN join hands to support migrant reintegration

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:01 AM, 09 October 2026

The government and the United Nations have launched a 30-month Joint Programme to help Bangladeshi migrants and returnees rebuild their lives with dignity and access social support needed for recovery and long-term reintegration.

The programme brings together the International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UN Women to address the medium- and long-term reintegration needs of Bangladeshi migrants and returnees.

Supported by the UN’s Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), the initiative will strengthen social protection mechanisms and promote social inclusion, particularly for vulnerable women, children and crisis-affected migrants.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment will implement the programme as the lead government ministry.

Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Dr Laura Tomm Bonde, IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides on Thursday.

A K M Sohel, Additional Secretary and Chief of the UN Wing at ERD; MoEWOE Additional Secretary Md Saiful Haque Chowdhury; and Dr Kazi Shahjahan, Joint Secretary of the UN Wing of ERD, were present at the signing ceremony.

Representatives from the ministry, IOM, ILO, UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA and other government agencies also attended.

“Through this Joint Programme, the UN will bring their expertise together to support the Government of Bangladesh to continue building a coordinated and migrant-centred reintegration ecosystem,” Dr Laura said.

According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), more than 13 million Bangladeshis have travelled abroad for work since 2004, including more than one million women.

The programme supports Bangladesh’s reintegration goals and Objective 21 of the Global Compact for Migration, which focuses on dignified return and sustainable reintegration.

It also contributes to the 2030 Agenda, particularly Sustainable Development Goals 5, 8 and 10, covering gender equality, decent work and reduced inequalities.