Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment will work jointly with the United Kingdom to prevent exploitation, irregular migration and human trafficking, Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said. He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cook at the ministry on Sunday. The minister said the government is committed to building skilled human resources, ensuring safe and quality employment, and protecting migrant workers’ rights, dignity and overall welfare.

Chowdhury said UK support would be important to strengthen existing technical training centres and Institutes of Marine Technology, including training in green and digital skills. He also sought cooperation in English-language, technical and vocational training to develop workers meeting the needs of the UK labour market and international standards.

The minister stressed maintaining sustainable rehabilitation and social reintegration for returnee workers through the ongoing RAISE project, involving FCDO, ILO and the World Bank. He also highlighted the need for a joint working group to oversee migration and skills-development activities. Cook said the UK is interested in working with Bangladesh to develop skilled workers for international labour markets and raised concerns about safe, regular and reasonably priced labour migration from Bangladesh.