UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, has said conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State are currently “not conducive” to the sustainable return of Rohingya refugees. “UNHCR’s position on returns of Rohingya refugees to Myanmar remains unchanged,” said the UN agency sharing its assessment. The UN agency said it is aware of the visit of a Myanmar delegation to Bangladesh to meet with a group of Rohingya refugees — on a bilateral pilot project between the two countries on possible repatriation. “UNHCR is not involved in these discussions,” it said in a statement on Bangladesh, Myanmar pilot project on Rohingya returns. The statement was shared by the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific on Sunday (March 19, 2023) night. Read More: OIC members must share responsibility for sustainable solution to Rohingya crisis: Momen At the same time, the UNHCR reiterated that every refugee has a right to return to their home country based on an informed choice, but that no refugee should be forced to do so. Bangladesh has consistently reaffirmed its commitment to voluntary and sustainable repatriation since the onset of the crisis, it said. In support of efforts to preserve the right to return, UNHCR considers consultation of and dialogue with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh by all parties in relation to the conditions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State as important to enable refugees to make an informed choice about return and build confidence amongst the community. “This is particularly important as many refugees have reiterated that they do hope to go home to Myanmar as soon as conditions allow,” UNHCR said. Read More: FM calls on global community to raise their voices to ensure safe return of Rohingyas Following the events of August 2017, UNHCR has also consistently encouraged Myanmar to expeditiously verify the previous residence in Myanmar of refugees in Bangladesh, as part of efforts to lift any administrative obstacles to return when the refugees decide to do so. “UNHCR therefore supports efforts that could lead to the verification of all refugees and pave the way for eventual return. This most recently included providing logistical support to members of the Myanmar delegation to cross into Bangladesh for the technical verification process,” said the UN agency. UNHCR said it will continue to work with Bangladesh and Myanmar to ensure that Rohingya refugees maintain the right to return when they choose to do so, based on a fully informed and voluntary decision. UNHCR will also support efforts to create conditions that would be conducive to the sustainable return of Rohingya refugees in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. Read More: US announces $26m more in assistance for Rohingyas, host communities In Bangladesh, UNHCR will continue to support building the skills and capacities of the refugees to facilitate their eventual return and sustainable reintegration in Myanmar. The 2023 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis in Bangladesh was recently launched and UNHCR calls upon the international community’s continued robust support for this appeal which is currently 10 percent funded.

Action will be taken over allegations of corruption and nepotism in recruitment of Biman Bangladesh Airlines pilots, state minister for civil aviation and tourism Md Mahbub Ali warned today (September 6, 2022). He was speaking at the 'BSRF Dialogue' organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat. The state minister said several newspapers have reported on the allegations regarding the pilots' recruitment. Read: Biman launches flights to China’s Guangzhou "It has been investigated by the highest level, through various agencies. We have also investigated the issues through our ministry, and the airline has its own investigation too," the state minister said. Likely, nine of the initially appointed pilots were selected and were dropped or they did not join, he added. He said some are currently in simulation training. Read:ACC approves charges against 3 former, 1 current Biman high-ups “This is the latest information I have. Reviewing their performance from the training, a final decision will be made on their appointments,” he said. "We will also take action against those who initially selected them (pilots), following the investigation report," Mahbub added. Bangladesh Pilot Association (BAPA) also sent a letter to the airlines' managing director on August 28 demanding investigation into irregularities, corruption and nepotism in recruiting pilots. Read US-Bangla to operate international flights on four routes from Saturday Regarding the harassment at the tourist center, he said the deputy commissioners (DCs) of Cox's Bazar and other tourist destinations were directed to monitor everything closely. "I asked the magistrate to see the price list." The state minister also hoped that the newly-built third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport will be able to operate from October next year. At the third terminal, arrangements are being made so that passengers can get transport at all times, he added. Read US-Bangla resumes Chattogram-Kolkata flights September 1 He also said initiatives have been taken to upgrade Cox's Bazar Airport to an international standard. Besides, aesthetically pleasing and modern terminals have been constructed in Saidpur and Jashore. "We will also take the initiative to construct an airport in Barishal." Regarding gold smuggling, the state minister said, "We have instructed airport authorities to check all passengers as soon as they get off flights." Read US-Bangla to operate two daily flight from Dhaka-Kolkata from August 4 BSRF general secretary Masudul Haque presided over the dialogue chaired by its president Tapan Biswas.

A pilot of a training helicopter of the Bangladesh Army, who has been undergoing treatment at a hospital in Singapore after being injured in a helicopter crash on July 27 in Nawabganj upazila of Keraniganj, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Air Wing Director of Rab Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Ismail Hossain, 45. Two pilots were injured as a training helicopter of the Bangladesh Army made crash landing on a waterbody  in Nawabganj Upazila of Dhaka district on July 27 The pilots- Lt Col Ismail and Major Shams were shifted to Dhaka Combined Military Hospital by a helicopter, according to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). Read: Army training helicopter makes crash landing in Nawabganj, 2 pilots hurt Col Ismail was airlifted to Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore on August 5 as he got severe injury in his backbone. On August 6, a successful surgery was conducted at the hospital but his physical condition started to be deteriorated. Later, he breathed his last on Tuesday at the hospital. Col Ismail was survived by his parents, wife and two sons. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Army Cheif, Senior Secretary of Security Division under Home Ministry, IGP, RAB DG and high officials concerned of Rab and Army expressed deep shock at the demise of Col Ismail and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Workers in the export-oriented ready-made garment (RMG) sector are set to get enhanced social security through an income protection initiative, says the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Wednesday. The Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) in collaboration with the ILO, the Netherlands and Germany (GIZ) officially launched the pilot of an “Employment Injury Scheme” to that end. Advisor to Prime Minister Salman F Rahman inaugurated the event in presence of State Minister of MoLE Begum Monnujan Sufian, Secretary, MoLE Md Ehsan-E- Elahi, Country Director of ILO Tuomo Poutiainen, and higher officials from the German, Norway and Netherlands Embassy.  Senior representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, workers’ associations, development partners and other national stakeholders also participated in the ceremony. Keeping in mind that workers in the ready-made garments industry play a remarkable role in the country’s growing GDP, it is important to consider their rights and security on priority, according to ILO.  Poutiainen highlighted ILO’s approach towards improved social protection for workers in Bangladesh.  He said the launch of ‘Employment Injury Protection’ scheme for RMG Workers in Bangladesh is an important and historic step in strengthening accident protection in the country.  “ILO is happy to support this effort and work with the Government, Employers and Workers to create a modern and contemporary compensation system for workers and their families that protect their incomes and living when they need it the most. Such a system also promotes sustainable business practices and provides right kind of signals to investors; as Bangladesh is step by step upgrading its social protection systems for the benefit of all.“ Read: RMG workers stage demo for third consecutive day demanding pay rise Salman Rahman said social security is high on the agenda of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Ehsan-E-Elahi thanked ILO and said, “It is a historical day for as we launch the first-ever social insurance scheme, as envisioned in the ‘National Social Security Strategy’. We have the privilege to ensure that the pilot is designed in line with the ‘International Labour Standards’, taking the national settings into consideration.” Speaking at the event, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the ready-made garments industry of Bangladesh has made significant progress in the areas of safety and sustainability, especially workers’ welfare and industrial relations.  “The pilot of the ‘Employment Injury Scheme’ will contribute to the social well-being of workers and employers and above all improvement of the country's social security system. As we are committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and well-being of our workers, we look forward to collaborating in initiatives that benefit our industry and workers.”

State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mohammad Mahbub Ali has said that necessary assistance would be provided to ensure better medical care for the ailing pilot of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Captain Nowshad Ataul Qayum. The state minister said this on Saturday while talking to the president of Bangladesh Pilots Association, Captain Mahbubur Rahman over phone. He further said that skilled pilots like Captain Nowshad are the assets of an organization. He has shown his skills at different times of his career. READ: Pilot suffers heart attack; Biman flight makes emergency landing in India “We are all worried that he suddenly fell ill on the way back to Dhaka on 27 August from Muscat in Oman. His treatment is being monitored round the clock by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism and the Biman Bangladesh Airlines,” he said. He also requested everyone to pray for his speedy recovery. READ: Emergency landing of Biman flight: Passengers safely back in Dhaka On August 27, Biman’s flight BG022 with 124 passengers made an emergency landing in the Indian city of Nagpur after Captain Nowshad fell sick, while piloting the plane from Muskat to Dhaka. The pilot was later admitted to a hospital in Nagpur where he has been undergoing treatment.

A Dhaka-bound Biman Bangladesh passenger flight made an emergency landing at an airport in India Friday after its pilot suffered a heart attack mid-air, officials said. The aircraft, a Boeing 737-8, was carrying 126 passengers from Muscat. An aviation official told the media the plane was near the central state of Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur when its co-pilot contacted the air traffic controller in the eastern city of Kolkata for an emergency landing. READ: Biman flight makes emergency landing at Dhaka airport "The Kolkata ATC, in turn, asked the co-pilot to land at the nearest airport. Around 11.40 am, the passenger plane safely landed at Nagpur airport in the western state of Maharashtra," the official told the media. The pilot was soon rushed to a nearby hospital, the official added. READ: Biman aircraft makes emergency landing in Chattogram

A pilot who was flying a sightseeing helicopter that crashed in Hawaii in December had his license revoked for marijuana use in 2010.