President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today (14 October) stressed the need for reducing migration costs, ensuring transparency in recruitment and taking strict action against fraud and middlemen to ensure safe migration and decent employment for Bangladeshi workers abroad.
"The rights and safety of migrant workers who make significant contributions to the country's economy must not remain uncertain," he said while addressing the award-giving and closing ceremony of 'Sonar Manush Sammilan 2026', organised to mark the 30th anniversary of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) at a hotel in the capital.
The President said many workers sell land, take loans and spend their families' savings to go abroad for employment but many fall victim to financial fraud, excessive migration costs and uncertain jobs.
All concerned must take effective measures to address these problems, he said.
Calling for greater involvement of Bangladesh's missions abroad in protecting migrant workers' rights, the President said the missions must be more worker-friendly.
He stressed that every worker should have a clear understanding of their employment contract, salary, working conditions and legal rights before leaving the country.
The President said remittances from expatriate Bangladeshis and the country's readymade garment industry are two major driving forces of the economy.
Remittances play a vital role in supplying foreign currency, meeting import costs and maintaining economic growth and stability, he said adding that Bangladeshi expatriates sent home more than 35 billion US Dollar in remittances in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The money not only improves the living standards of millions of families but also strengthens the national economy, he said.
The President said nearly 15 million Bangladeshi migrant workers contribute to the country's economy through their labour, sacrifices and dedication, adding that ensuring their dignity is a responsibility of the state.
Migrant workers do not merely send money home; they also represent Bangladesh abroad. "Their acquired knowledge, experience and skills are national assets," he added.
Highlighting changes in the international labour market, President Fakhrul said increasing the number of workers sent abroad is not enough. "Greater emphasis must be placed on developing skilled workers, ensuring appropriate employment and promoting safe migration."
Technical knowledge, language proficiency, technological competence and professional training are becoming increasingly important in the global labour market, he said.
Fakhrul identified artificial intelligence (AI), information technology, automation, nursing, healthcare, elderly care, electrical and electronics technology, and modern construction as sectors with demand for skilled workers.
Public and private training institutions must develop workers whose skills match these evolving requirements, he said.
The President stressed the need to plan training and recruitment based on reliable information about the number of workers required in specific occupations in different countries and the qualifications and skills they need.
He also called for expanding partnerships with foreign employers and training institutions.
Emphasising the safety, rights and dignity of women migrant workers, he also called for encouraging expatriates to invest their savings in productive sectors.
He underscored the need to rehabilitate returning migrant workers, recognise their acquired skills, provide access to credit and create opportunities for them to become entrepreneurs.
The President said many people were moving from rural areas to Dhaka, Chattogram and other major cities in search of employment, education, healthcare and better living conditions.
While such migration creates economic opportunities, it also puts growing pressure on urban housing, traffic management and civic services, he said.
To address these challenges, the President called for expanding employment opportunities, technical training, small industries, agro-based enterprises and access to civic services in rural and disadvantaged areas.
He also stressed the need for climate adaptation measures, sustainable infrastructure, disaster risk reduction and alternative livelihood opportunities in climate-vulnerable areas.
The President said Bangladesh needed to adopt and implement a long-term, integrated and results-oriented national strategy to make migration management more effective.
In this connection, he called for serious consideration of the proposal to declare a 'Migration Decade'.
Congratulating the migrant workers who received awards at the event, he expressed hope that RMMRU would continue to play a positive role in making migration safer, more orderly, humane and sustainable.
Every dollar of remittance represents the labour, sacrifice and dreams of a worker, the President said.
Protecting their rights, ensuring their dignity and utilising their knowledge and experience for national development are collective responsibilities, he added.