Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul spoke at the OEP launching ceremony at a city hotel today. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Nov 19, 2025 (BSS) – Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul today urged the recruiting agencies, training centres and oversee employers to apply the Overseas Employment Platform (OEP) to ensure safe and dignified labour migration.

“I urge the recruiting agencies, training centres and overseas employers to fully utilise the platform and maintain the highest ethical standard,” he said while speaking at the OEP launching ceremony at a city hotel this afternoon.

Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Asif Nazrul said the Bangladeshi migrant workers are the pride of the nation and their contribution to the country’s economy is invaluable.

He said the government’s responsibility is to ensure the journey and overseas employment of the migrant workers are dignified, protected and well-supported. 

“The OEP is a major step to fulfill this responsibility,” he added.   

Terming the OEP a millstone in overseas labour migration, the expatriates' welfare and overseas employment adviser said the platform is an important effort to ensure their transparent and efficient migration.

He said the goal of the government to ensure the OEP is reached in every household of the country.

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Senior Secretary Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan said this digital platform marks a transformative step in the nation's journey towards facilitating safe, transparent, and efficient overseas employment opportunities for millions of hardworking Bangladeshis.

This OEP has been designed as a one-stop solution by integrating diverse services related to overseas job migration into a single accessible, user-friendly online portal, he said.

The senior secretary said it empowers aspiring migrant workers by providing them with direct access to verified job opportunities, real-time application tracking, skilled development linkage and streamlined government procedures.

All these mechanisms aimed at eliminating exploitation and reducing migration costs, he added.

He said the launch of OEP not only modernises and digitises the recruitment process but also embodies the government's commitment to upholding the rights, dignity, and welfare of the expatriate workforce.

Earlier, the OEP was officially launched on the occasion. 

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, Country Director of International Labour Organization (ILO) Max Tunon and Deputy Head of Mission at Swiss Embassy in Dhaka Diepak Elmer also spoke at the event, among others.