Dhaka and Cumilla, Bangladesh: In the continuing effort to promote safe migration, the Migrant Resource Centres in Dhaka and Cumilla, Bangladesh, conducted several orientation sessions and workshops at the grassroots level. In January, six sessions were conducted at the union level (the smallest and lowest political unit in Bangladesh) such as Boxnagar, Chandura and Isapur. Members of Union Parishad, local officials and elite persons, returnee migrants, and local NGO partners participated in the workshop.

The participants commented that this is the first time they attended a migration-specific campaign. The information materials developed by the MRCs were distributed. Topics on how to avoid irregular migration and illegal recruitment were discussed. The programmes and services of the government, such as the new loan offer to returning migrants and revised pre-departure processes arising from the effects of COVID, were presented. These events are covered by local media.

As a result, MRCs regularly receive calls from some members of the community seeking advice on visa processes, costs of applying for job abroad, and the legal recruiting agency to apply for.

The orientation sessions are conducted in cooperation with the District Employment and Manpower Office in Dhaka and Cumilla and with the authority of the local officials. The Union Parishad Chairman also commits to further disseminate the information to their constituents at the local level