Economists, bureaucrats, researchers and representatives from different non-government organisations on Tuesday emphasised enhancing skills development of the outbound workers to receive increased remittances. They stressed the need to increase manpower export through diplomatic channel by giving proper training at the vocational institutions.They made the remarks at a workshop on ‘the impact of migration and poverty and development’ organised by Refugee and Migratory Movements research Unit at BRAC Centre Tuesday afternoon.
Shamsul Alam, member of the general economics division of Planning Commission, said although Bangladesh has received remittances of over $14 billion, there were still lapses in taking full advantage in this regard due to policy failure.
Bangladesh should have specific policy to handle migration issues and send the workers abroad with government sponsorship for creating more opportunities in this sector, he said.
Zahid Hussain, lead economist to World Bank, said although Bangladesh secured its position among the top ten remittance recipient countries, it was still the lowest among the countries in terms of earning remittance per worker.
Skills composition of the workers was lower in Bangladesh, he said, adding that cost of migration in Bangladesh should be made affordable and also should be ensured safe migration for its workers.
Selim Reza, former additional director general of bureau of manpower, employment and training, said development in the migrant’s families would become visible if the workers were sent abroad by giving proper training and sent with less migration cost.
He emphasised skills development of workers to increase remittance and reduce different problems faced by migrants at the destination countries.
Former adviser Hossain Zillur Rahman, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies research director Binayak Sen and its senior research fellow Anwara Begum, among others also spoke at the workshop, moderated by RMMRU founding chair professor Tasneem Siddiqui.
The expert panels also put their suggestions on the ongoing study on impact of migration and poverty and development which was being conducted by RMRRU with support of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
The study started its journey on last June and it would be completed by September 2014, said Tasneem.
-With New Age input
