As thousands of migrant workers continue to return home, stakeholders at a high-level dialogue in Dhaka on Thursday called for a dignified and sustainable reintegration system that recognises the experiences, skills and contributions of returnees.
Titled 鈥楾he Future of Return and Reintegration of Migrants in Bangladesh,鈥� the event held at Radisson Blu brought together senior government officials, diplomats, UN agencies, civil society members, researchers and returnees to explore practical ways to strengthen reintegration as a pillar of national development, said a press release issued by OSHE Foundation.
The dialogue was organised by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Ministry of Expatriates鈥� Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) and the Wage Earners鈥� Welfare Board (WEWB).
The conversation revolved around the RAISE project鈥擱ecovery and Advancement of Informal Sector Employment鈥攁 government-led initiative supported by IOM and funded by the World Bank.
Implemented with the help of seven national NGOs, the project has already supported more than 200,000 returnees providing skill training, business start-up support, psychosocial counselling and formal certification of overseas work experience through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
鈥楾his is no longer just about aid or assistance鈥攊t鈥檚 about empowering people to rebuild their lives and contribute to the economy,鈥� one speaker said, stressing that reintegration must be inclusive, gender-responsive and rights-based.
Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, senior secretary of MoEWOE, was present as chief guest at the programme.
Senior representatives from the ministries of foreign affairs, home affairs and civil aviation and tourism also joined, along with officials from the European Union, the World Bank, the embassies of Italy and Sweden, and various UN bodies.
Panel discussants explored how reintegration connects to the broader migration cycle and how national policies can better support returning workers鈥攎any of whom face challenges such as stigma, financial hardship, and lack of recognition.
Speakers agreed that successful reintegration is both a social obligation and a national development opportunity鈥攁nd that returnees should be seen not as burdens but as skilled, resilient individuals ready to drive change at home.
