Foreign-Affairs
Bangladesh proposes postponement of Dhaka D8 Summit
Bangladesh has proposed postponement of D8 Summit, which was scheduled to take place in Dhaka at the end of May.
One-minute silence observed for COVID-19 migrant victims
To mourn migrants and nationals who died of COVID 19 both at home and abroad, Bangladesh Civil Society for Migration (BCSM), Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) and Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) jointly observed a one-minute silence on Sunday morning.
OKUP concerned at ‘pushback’ of ‘undocumented’ Bangladeshi migrants
The Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Programme (OKUP) has expressed concerns at the decision by some labour receiving countries to send back so-called undocumented Bangladeshi migrant workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It is “inhuman, cruel and unjust”, the organisation said in a statement on Sunday. OKUP said the move would affect the lives of numerous migrants and their families.
The organisation noted that Bangladesh is currently not in a position to receive the huge number of migrant workers. “We strongly protest the decision taken by some labour receiving countries,” it said.
OKUP said the migrant workers are victims of the whole recruitment system, primarily the ‘kafala’ or ‘sponsorship’ recruitment system. It said migrant workers contribute a lot to the overall development of the countries of destination.
“We appeal to the governments of those labour receiving countries to annul their decision at this moment of global COVID-19 pandemic,” the organisation said.
Expatriate Bangladeshi workers sent back $16.42 billion in remittance in the 2018-19 fiscal year. In the first two months of this year, expatriates sent back $3.1 billion.
OKUP recommend Bangladesh to prepare a multi-year plan for the repatriation of its ‘undocumented migrant workers’ and carry out strong negotiation and lobby with the government of those countries for their cooperation in systematic repatriation rather than a sudden ‘push back’.
Bangladesh can raise the issue in the regional platform of labour sending countries like ‘Colombo Process’ and seek their cooperation to deal with the concerns jointly.
“We recommend that the government must prepare a comprehensive ‘Plan of Action’ for short-term, mid-term and long-term reintegration and livelihoods of the returnees,” OKUP said.
The short-term plan may include emergency supports upon return; the mid-term is to assist the returnees in starting alternative income generation activities while the long-term mega-plan should focus on creating sustainable livelihoods for all Bangladeshi workers in the changing global economic landscape caused by the impact of COVID-19.
Ministries, departments, development partners, and other stakeholders including migrants’ organisations could work together in this regard, it said.
“We draw due attention of the government of Bangladesh for a sincere assessment and review of the whole recruitment system, take necessary actions to ensure improved recruitment system, and make sure accountability of key actors in the recruitment practices in the post COVID-19 era,” OKUP said.
“We want equal protection and services for the migrant workers irrespective of their status in all countries of destination in this pandemic situation of COVID -19,” the organisation said.
Bangladesh must bolster COVID-19 action to protect people, revive economy: WB
Bangladesh and other South Asian countries must ramp up action to curb the health emergency, protect their people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, and set the stage now for fast economic recovery, the World Bank said in its twice-a-year-regional update on Sunday.
Good progress on chartered flights for UK nationals from Dhaka: Dickson
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson has said they are making good progress with their plans to charter flights to help British nationals in Bangladesh return home.
UNDP supports manufacture, distribution of sanitisers in Khulna
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh has initiated manufacture of hand sanitisers and distributed them among 4,000 poor people and village police members who are the frontline COVID-19 fighters in Khulna.
Envoys of Muslim countries donate basic food items for poor
Ambassadors of the Muslim countries stationed in Dhaka on Saturday donated six metric tonnes of basic food items to Bangladesh for the poor people who are facing difficulties because of the coronavirus crisis.
The food donation was handed over to Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Abu Saleh Mohammad Ferdous at State guesthouse Padma in presence of Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen.
The Foreign Minister thanked the ambassadors for the support.
Will once again prevail together: US envoy
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl Miller has laid emphasis on working together in these difficult times, noting that United States’ commitment to Bangladesh has never been stronger than today.
Switzerland supports Bangladesh’s COVID-19 response
Switzerland on Saturday said it stands by Bangladesh in facing and implementing an effective response plan with a support of approximately Tk 25 crore as nations around the globe suffer from challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
BD envoy condoles Dr Mabud’s death in UK
Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem has expressed deep condolences at the sudden death of expatriate Bangladeshi-British eminent physician Dr Abdul Mabud Chowdhury.