State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam spoke at Foreign Ministry discussion on safe, orderly and regular migration. Photo : Ministry

DHAKA, Aug 24, 2026 (BSS) - State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today called for bridging gaps between Bangladesh's international commitments, national policies and grassroots realities to strengthen migration governance and ensure safe, orderly and regular migration.

"Protection abroad must begin with prevention at home," she said while chairing a discussion titled "Renewed Government Initiative for Ensuring Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration" at the foreign ministry here, said a foreign ministry's press release here. 

Shama said the government has renewed its emphasis on strengthening migration governance through closer linkages among international commitments, domestic policies and realities faced by prospective migrants at the grassroots level.

Against the backdrop of a changing global labour market, she stressed aligning skills development and training with employment opportunities in destination countries, diversifying overseas labour markets and expanding regular migration pathways.

Drawing on experiences from her constituency, the state minister expressed concern over irregular migration, human trafficking and migrant smuggling as well as emerging forms of recruitment fraud, including those facilitated through digital platforms.

State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque highlighted the need for migrant-friendly policies and accessible service delivery through field-level administration.

Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Mahdi Amin, who joined the meeting virtually, welcomed the initiative and called for greater field-level engagement to promote safe and regular migration.

Deputy Commissioners (DCs) from 14 migration-prone districts shared their experiences and challenges concerning migration trends, skills gaps, recruitment practices, irregular migration and migrant protection.

Officials from participating ministries and government agencies briefed the DCs on the government's priorities and longer-term plans for strengthening migration governance and promoting safe, orderly and regular migration.

The discussion stressed stronger information-sharing and coordination through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to ensure that grassroots realities are better reflected in national policymaking and Bangladesh's diplomatic engagements.

Information received from Bangladesh missions abroad on labour-market demand, destination-country requirements and emerging regular migration pathways was also shared with the DCs to facilitate informed action at the local level.

Deputy Commissioners from Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Chandpur, Chattogram, Dhaka, Noakhali, Narsingdi, Mymensingh, Faridpur, Madaripur, Shariatpur and Sunamganj also participated.