The research ‘Social Cost of Migration on Left Behind Migrant Spouse and Children in Bangladesh’ suggested that the support services to left behind families should be made integral part of government support and protection framework.
The research was conducted by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) mandated by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
RMMRU founding chair Tasneem Siddiqui presented the recommendations at the programme, saying the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board needs to incorporate left behind husbands, wives and children as their important stakeholders.
The report also recommended that the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) start developing a database of left behind families of migrant workers which can be done at the same time when it registers the migrants and provides smartcards to them.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam said the government will take steps to conduct a comprehensive study on social cost of left behind families of migrants as per the recommendations of the research to undertake necessary measures.
He said the government has given top priority to migrant workers’ issues considering that they were contributing to the national economy greatly.
Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation senior adviser Suzanne Mueller said migration was important in Bangladesh as it contributes to poverty reduction and development in general.
RMMRU executive director Dr CR Abrar presided over the inaugural session which was followed by working sessions with the participation human rights activists, migration experts and senior government officials.