FM seeks support for migrant workers; calls them ‘frontline contributors’
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FM seeks support for migrant workers; calls them ‘frontline contributors’

FM seeks support for migrant workers; calls them ‘frontline contributors’
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen attends NAM meeting convened by Azerbaijan on Monday. Photo: Courtesy


Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday termed the migrant workers “frontline contributors” to the economies and sought a joint strategy for responsibility sharing both at home and host countries. 

“A meaningful global strategy for migrant workers is needed to address the challenges of COVID-19," he said.

The Foreign Minister made the call at the NAM meeting convened by Azerbaijan.

Dr Momen urged the NAM membership to work out innovative solutions and approaches to tackle the crisis. 

He emphasised that NAM's response must be embedded in multilateralism and international solidarity through forging a robust global partnership.

The government has already allocated nearly USD 11.6 billion, which is 3.5 percent of total GDP, to help the vulnerable people and businesses bear with the shocks of the pandemic. 

The Foreign Minister underlined the importance of devising a clear strategy for the economic recovery of the developing countries.

He mentioned the provision of short-, medium-, and long-term support from the bilateral and multilateral development partners, protection of jobs of the migrant population and ensuring the flow of vital medical supplies and essential goods, services and food supply chains.

Also read: Coronavirus: Bangladesh’s overseas workers face ‘bleak future’

“The pandemic shouldn’t divert attention and resources away from the development needs for the long-term resilience and sustainability of developing countries as encapsulated in the 2030 agenda,” Dr Momen said.

Azerbaijan, the current Chair of NAM, convened this high-level online meeting. 

Also read: Coronavirus: Bangladesh set to see a sharp fall in its remittance inflow

Around 40 countries participated in the meeting. 

NAM videoconference was participated by 20 Presidents, seven Prime Ministers, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one Vice President, and 10 Foreign Ministers, including Bangladesh Foreign  Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, UN Secretary General Antonio  Guterres, UN General Assembly President, DG of World Health Organisation (WHO) and Vice President of Europen Commission.

Also read: Bangladesh to provide loans to returnee migrants

It was presided by NAM Chairman and President of Azerbaizan Ilham Aliyev.

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was created and founded during the collapse of the colonial system and the independence struggles of the peoples of Africa, Asia, Latin America and other regions of the world and at the height of the Cold War.

Also read: Labour migration sees fall by 10 pc in 2019: Report

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Foreign Affairs Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen NAM remittance coronavirus outbreak COVID-19 pandemic Bangladeshi migrant workers support for migrant workers ‘frontline contributors’