President calls for skilled workforce, greater protection of workers’ rights
Published : 15 October 2026
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Updated : 15 October 2026, 01:52
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday called for ensuring safe migration, creating decent employment opportunities and developing a skilled workforce to strengthen Bangladesh’s position globally.
“Let us build a Bangladesh where migration will be safe, employment will be decent, a skilled workforce will strengthen the country’s position in the global market, and expatriate and returning workers will become equal partners in national development,” he said.
The president made the remarks at a programme marking the 30th founding anniversary of the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) and Sonar Manush Sammilan-2026 at a hotel in the capital.
He urged all stakeholders, including the government and the opposition, to work together to protect migrants’ rights.
“Protecting their rights, ensuring their dignity and utilising their achievements for the country’s development are our collective responsibilities,” he said.
The president said, “Expatriate Bangladeshis sent over US 35 billion dollar in remittances in the 2025-26 fiscal year... Our economy remains functional for them and therefore, our responsibility towards them is much greater.”
Stressing the need to equip prospective migrants with skills, he said, “Unfortunately, we cannot adequately prepare or equip them before they go abroad. As a result, most of them go as unskilled workers. Sometimes, they go without proper documents as well.”
Recalling his experiences with Bangladeshi expatriates, the president said, “I had witnessed the difficulties and miserable living conditions of expatriate Bangladeshis. They live extremely hard lives and send all their earnings back home... As a result, they deserve the highest respect in our country.”
Earlier, the president handed over “Sonar Manush Sammanana Smarak Awards and Crests” among the recipients in seven categories.
RMMRU Executive Director Dr Tasneem Siddiqui presented the keynote paper and outlined the organisation’s upcoming activities.
The organisation’s Deputy Executive Director Motasim Billah delivered the welcome address.