Migrant workers to get legal support at 11 missions

The government has strengthened legal support for Bangladeshi migrant workers by appointing law firms or panel lawyers at 11 Bangladesh missions abroad, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman told parliament on Wednesday.

The initiative aims to protect migrant workers’ rights and security and expand welfare services through Bangladesh missions, he said.

The prime minister said legal assistance is being provided to detained workers, while efforts have been intensified to recover unpaid wages, compensation and other dues from employers.

The government has also strengthened measures to rescue female workers facing danger and repatriate workers stranded abroad due to disasters or political instability.

He said more than 1.5 crore Bangladeshis are currently working in 176 countries. Administrative, legal and welfare services are being provided through 30 labour welfare wings at Bangladesh missions in 27 countries, funded by the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board.

To support detained workers, missions have been instructed to visit prisons, detention centres and camps, provide legal assistance and take steps for their release. Mission officials are also visiting workplaces and residences to resolve disputes with employers and recover unpaid wages.

For distressed female workers, several Bangladesh missions operate safe homes where rescued workers can stay before being repatriated, if necessary.

The prime minister said the government also provides financial support to families of deceased migrant workers. Their bodies are repatriated with funding from the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board, while families receive Tk3 lakh and Tk35,000 is provided at the airport for transportation and burial expenses.

Medical assistance for injured or ill returnee workers has been increased to Tk2 lakh from Tk1 lakh. The monthly allowance for children with disabilities of migrant workers has also been doubled to Tk2,000 from Tk1,000.

Overseas-bound workers are also covered by death insurance of up to Tk10 lakh for five years against a one-time premium of Tk1,000, he added.

Welfare desks, ambulance services and affordable accommodation at the Wage Earners’ Centre in Dhaka are also available to migrant workers. A 24-hour call centre is operating to address problems faced by workers and their families.

Under the Recovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment (RAISE) project, 2,53,000 returnee migrant workers have so far received income-generating training, referrals and financial assistance for reintegration or rehabilitation.

The measures are aimed at strengthening the safety, rights and financial security of Bangladeshi migrant workers and their families while encouraging remittance transfers through formal channels.