Migration experts, policymakers, academics, and development practitioners have called for sustainable strategies in Bangladesh to address the challenges arising from rapidly changing global migration policies, stricter immigration controls, and evolving international labour markets. They emphasized that Bangladesh must move beyond its dependence on traditional labour markets by exploring new destination countries, ensuring safe and orderly migration, and developing a skilled workforce aligned with global labour-market demands.
The observations were made at a seminar held on Saturday, August 1, at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka. The seminar, titled “Migration in an Age of Closing Doors: Skills, Destination Diversification, and the Future of Overseas Employment in Bangladesh,” was organized by the Center for Migration, Refugee and Displacement (CMRD) of Dhaka International University (DIU).
Speaking as the Chief Guest, ABM Mosharraf Hossain, Chairman of the Parliamentarians’ Caucus on Migration and Development, said, “Global migration management is undergoing continuous changes and facing new complexities. As labour markets around the world become increasingly restrictive, there is no alternative to developing a skilled workforce if Bangladesh is to remain competitive.”
Assuring his support for increased budgetary allocation for institutional development and research in the migration sector, he further said, “I will personally discuss with the Honourable Prime Minister the necessary initiatives for the development of the migration sector, research, and skilled workforce development. I will also make every effort to secure a special allocation for this sector in the upcoming national budget.”
The keynote paper was presented by Professor Dr. AKM Ahsan Ullah of Universiti Brunei Darussalam. He stressed the need to reduce dependence on unskilled and semi-skilled workers and shift towards a skills-based overseas employment strategy.
He observed that ensuring human resource development in line with the changing and emerging demands of the international labour market would be the key to the future of Bangladesh’s overseas employment and migration.
Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of DIU and Chief Patron of the seminar, emphasized the importance of research-based policymaking for Bangladesh’s sustainable development and the protection of migrant workers’ rights. He said that academia, government institutions, and development partners must work together to ensure proper support for migrant workers both before their departure and after their return, including effective reintegration and rehabilitation.
Chairing the seminar, Professor Dr. Md. Shariful Alam, Director of CMRD, said that Bangladesh’s migration management system could be made more effective through evidence-based policymaking and stronger institutional collaboration. He also highlighted CMRD’s ongoing initiatives to expand migration research, policy dialogue, and international cooperation.
During the open discussion session, moderated by Taifur Rahman, Senior Fellow of BCGD, speakers emphasized the importance of ensuring safe migration, strengthening protection mechanisms for women migrant workers, and reducing migration costs.
Among others, the seminar was addressed by Professor Dr. Ganesh Chandra Saha, Adviser of DIU; Saiful Haque and Deputy Director Md. Sohrawardy Hossain of WARBE Development Foundation; Shakirul Islam, Chairman of OKUP; Sheikh Rumana, Executive Director of BOMSA; Ranjit C. Das of BASTOB; Nasrin Akter Dina of BGSD; Murshida Akter, General Secretary of NDWW; Advocate Ferdous of BNWLA; freedom fighter Ali Haider Chowdhury, former Secretary General of BAIRA; Professor Dr. Shah Nistar Kabir of Jagannath University; Professor Kazi Sheikh Farid of Bangladesh Agricultural University; Dr. Anas Ansar, Assistant Professor at North South University; Trade Union Coordinator Shakil Akhtar Chowdhury; Sheikh Rajbul Haque, Director of BNSK; Pulak Ranjan Dhar of BFTUI; Touhiduzzaman, Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at DIU; and Anisur Rahman Khan, Executive Director of IMA R.F.
Officials from various national and international organizations, researchers, academics, development practitioners, and media professionals also attended the seminar.
The overall coordination and supervision of the event were carried out by Mili Rahman, Associate Professor and Additional Director of the Center for Research, Excellence and Development (CRED), Dhaka International University.