DHAKA, August 12, 2026 (BSS) – Participants in a multi-stakeholder consultation meeting here today underscored the need to reduce migration costs, diversify overseas labour markets, protect women migrant workers and ensure sustainable reintegration of returnee workers.

They also called for modernising services for migrant workers and their families through digital platforms, strengthening protection for workers facing abuse abroad and improving coordination among government, private and non-government organisations, said a press release.

The Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS), in collaboration with development and research organisation iSocial and with funding from the International Labour Organization (ILO), organised the meeting at a hotel in Tejgaon under a project supported by Switzerland.

The meeting was organised to finalise the National Action Plan on Labour Migration-2026 with a view to making labour migration management more effective, inclusive and rights-based.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur attended the meeting as the chief guest, while NCCWE Chairman and BILS Advisory Council member Mesbahuddin Ahmed chaired it.

BILS Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed delivered the welcome address.

Speaking at the meeting, the state minister said the interests of migrant workers, whom he described as “remittance warriors”, must be given the highest priority beyond political differences.

He stressed coordinated efforts by relevant ministries to utilise the experience of returnee workers, enhance their skills and ensure their social protection.

Representatives of relevant government ministries and agencies, trade unions, civil society, and national and international organisations working on labour migration participated in the meeting.

Based on recommendations from stakeholders, participants proposed measures for effective implementation, coordination and monitoring of the national action plan.