প্রবাসীদের জন্য একগাদা সুখবর দিলেন ড. আসিফ নজরুল | Remittance | Samakal News

Summary

The press meeting, organized by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, addressed key initiatives to improve the welfare of expatriate workers. The ministry highlighted efforts to ease remittance processes, provide loans through the Expatriate Welfare Bank, and reduce bureaucratic delays for workers seeking overseas employment. They also discussed partnerships with commercial banks, addressing grievances related to embassy services, and initiatives to rehabilitate returning workers. The speech emphasized reducing exploitation by agents and ensuring better services for remittance earners, who are vital to the country's economy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment is focusing on improving services for migrant workers, ensuring significant progress before sharing updates.
• 📊 A new system has been implemented to allow migrant workers to send remittances directly through the Probashi Kalyan Bank, easing the process and reducing difficulties.
• 🏦 Agreements have been made with 12 major commercial banks to offer loans to expatriates, with a credit guarantee expected from Bangladesh Bank.
• 💼 To improve accessibility, booths for the Probashi Kalyan Bank will be set up at branches of Sonali and Agrani Banks in remote areas with high expatriate populations.
• 📞 The ministry is addressing complaints about the inefficiency of embassies and labor welfare wings by enforcing stronger accountability measures and regular reporting.
• 💰 Plans are in place to remove the purchase limit on Wage Earner Bonds, encouraging expatriates to send more remittances.
• 🚑 MOUs have been signed to send skilled workers, including 200 nurses, to Saudi Arabia and 250 workers to Italy, with ongoing efforts to expand job markets in Japan.
• 🛂 The approval process for overseas employment has been streamlined by reducing the number of required approvals from three to two, saving time and reducing complexity.
• 🕵️‍♂️ Efforts are underway to regulate and register sub-agents involved in overseas recruitment, aiming to reduce exploitation and unnecessary costs for workers.
• 👨‍💼 The ministry is working on categorizing recruitment agencies based on performance and accountability, promoting competition and better practices.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the press briefing?

The press briefing was organized to update on the progress of various activities undertaken by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.

What new system has been introduced in the Probashi Kallyan Bank for remittance?

A new system has been introduced where expatriates can now directly send remittance through the Probashi Kallyan Bank and use it to repay their loans.

How many commercial banks have been involved in providing loans to expatriates, apart from Probashi Kallyan Bank?

In addition to the Probashi Kallyan Bank, discussions have been held with 12 major commercial banks to provide loans to expatriates, pending the approval of a credit guarantee from Bangladesh Bank.

What steps have been taken to reduce the hassle for expatriates in remote areas?

Probashi Kallyan Bank has proposed setting up booths in remote areas by collaborating with Sonali Bank and Agrani Bank to make services more accessible to expatriates.

What measures have been introduced to ensure accountability in embassies' labor welfare wings?

Labor welfare wings are now required to regularly report the number of complaints received and their resolution. Random checks will be conducted to verify if the complaints are addressed properly.

What is the ministry doing to address the high costs expatriates face when going abroad?

The ministry is reducing the number of approval stages from three to two and is working on registering sub-agents to minimize the impact of unauthorized intermediaries who increase costs for expatriates.

How does the ministry plan to improve recruitment practices?

The ministry plans to introduce a certification system for recruitment agents based on performance and past records, creating a competitive environment that promotes best practices.

What are the ministry's plans for repatriated expatriates who were imprisoned in UAE?

The ministry has contacted 87 repatriated workers and is working on their rehabilitation by providing employment opportunities, business support, or offering them resettlement assistance through various programs.

What steps are being taken to expand labor markets in countries like Saudi Arabia and Italy?

The ministry has signed MOUs to send 200 nurses to Saudi Arabia and is working on a project to send 250 skilled workers to Italy. Efforts are also ongoing to expand labor markets in Japan.

How is the ministry collaborating with Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus?

Dr. Yunus has offered to assist in labor market expansion, including Malaysia. His involvement has already led to the return of 57 imprisoned Bangladeshi workers from the UAE.