The Embassy of Bangladesh in Rome, Italy has honoured five expatriate Bangladeshi nationals with ‘Remittance Award’ on the occasion of International Migrants Day-2022. The embassy organized an event on December 19 at the Chancery. Five Bangladeshis received awards as top remittance senders from Italy between the period of July 2021 and June 2022. Md. Shameem Ahsan, Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy, handed over the awards among the recipients. The programme included, among others, reading out of the messages of the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the Minister of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, discussion meeting and distribution of certificates and crests. Read more: Drinkwell Bangladesh receives US Award for Corporate Excellence 2022  At the beginning of the discussion session, Ashif Anam Siddique, First Secretary (Labor welfare) of the Embassy, made a power-point presentation on the various activities undertaken by the government of Bangladesh for the protection of the rights of expatriates for their welfare and to encourage more remittance through legal channels and also on the role of the embassy in this regard. The awardees, who joined in person as well as digitally, also spoke and sincerely thanked the embassy for the recognition. Ambassador Ahsan warmly congratulated all the awardees while acknowledging the significant contribution being made by the Bangladeshi diaspora for the buoyancy of the economy of the country by sending valuable remittances. The ambassador said that establishment of diplomatic relations immediately after the independence by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman paved the way for sending workers abroad. Ahsan paid deep tribute to Bangabandhu while adding that the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is an expatriate-friendly government and highlighted the major steps taken by the government. Ahsan pointedly mentioned that the Government of Bangladesh remains committed in favour of legal migration. Among the guests were Laurence Hart, Director, International Organization of Migration (IOM) and Giovanni Imbergamo, Director, Janata Exchange (JEC) Srl. Read more: Anti-Corruption Award: US Embassy in Dhaka congratulates journalist Rozina Islam both shared the global perspective of the day while appreciating the Government of Bangladesh for its role for the welfare of the expatriates and contribution of the migrants of the country. The awardees of 2022 in 'individual category (male)' are Mohammad Jahangir Farazy, Md Mahfujul Haque, Uddin Zia, and in 'individual category (female) are Akhy Agnes Gomes and Mehenas Tabbasum. The Bangladesh Embassy in Rome launched the "Remittance Award" in 2019 to encourage and promote remittances to Bangladesh through legal channels. Officials of the mission, awardees and their family members, journalists from the diaspora were present at the event.

There was no Bangladeshi among the five found dead on 24 July off the southern coast of Italy, according to the Bangladesh Embassy in Rome. Also, the mission is trying to find out if there is any Bangladesh national among the around 669 migrants who were rescued 124 miles off the coast of Calabria, the boot of Italy. Most of the migrants were found on a fishing boat and others were rescued in the water as flows of migrants crossing the Mediterranean increase during favourable sea conditions. Read: Bangladeshi American makes history The migrants were transferred to port cities in Sicily and Calabria. The five bodies were brought to the morgue of a hospital in the Sicilian city of Messina. More than 34,000 asylum seekers and migrants have landed in Italy since the start of the year, up from some 25,500 in the same period last year, according to Italy's interior ministry.

Bangladesh Embassy in Rome has urged all concerned not to be trapped by the human traffickers. The request came following the death of seven reportedly Bangladesh nationals due to hypothermia (prolonged exposure to extreme cold temperatures). Italian sources primarily confirmed that 273 out of 287 total migrants on board were from Bangladesh, out of which 7 died, and the rest are Egyptian nationals, said the Bangladesh Mission in Rome. The Embassy expressed its sincere condolences for the victims and deep sympathy to their families; and mentioned that it remains in close touch with the concerned authorities in Italy for next appropriate action.  Seven dead bodies of reported Bangladesh nationals have already been sent to Agrigento (a place in Sicily) to be kept in the mortuary till repatriation and burial. Discussion is on about procedural formalities for burial or repatriation to Bangladesh, said the Embassy. Visiting dead bodies need court permission which is in progress but may take some time due to procedural matters, it said. The officer met and talked with some survivors who have been shifted to various locations or admission centres. Also read: No good news yet from Italy: FM about expats’ return On receiving the information of the tragic incident on January 25 causing death of seven Bangladesh nationals, Bangladesh Embassy in Rome has been keeping constant touch with the relevant Italian authorities including two Honorary Consuls General of Bangladesh to Catania and Palermo to gather actual information and for taking appropriate measures from the Bangladesh side, said the Bangladesh Mission in Rome on Friday night. A two-member team led by Md. Arfanul Hoque, Counsellor (Labour Welfare), accompanied by an Italian-knowing  official, reached Lampedusa island, Italy on January 26. The Labour Counsellor met Deputy Mayor of Lampedusa Prestipino Salvatore (Mayor was outside the station) on January 27. During the meeting, both sides discussed the tragic incident and possible strategies and arrangements to prevent it in future and on closer coordination between the Italian side and the Embassy. Also read: Italy includes Bangladesh in "seasonal, non-seasonal workers" programme: FM He also met senior officials of the Italian Coast Guard (Corpo delle capitanerie di porto - Guardia Costiera) on Friday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday inaugurated the Chancery Building of Bangladesh Embassy in Rome.