Forty two government, civil society and private sector organisations in Bangladesh signed a pledge on 25 May 2022 committing to contribute to the timely, comprehensive and sustainable reintegration of returning migrants.

The signing is part of the Public-Private Sector Partnership for Reintegration in Bangladesh initiative that aims to provide employment, skills, finance and other needs to returnees for their economic reintegration.

The initiative is led by the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment. The Honorable Minister, Mr. Imran Ahmed, as the Chief Guest emphasized the importance of having parallel pathways for reintegration from government and private sector. While various initiatives are implemented by government for the safe and regular migration of Bangladesh, the private sector plays a big role in terms of access to finance and business mentorship, as well as coordination with foreign employers.

He thanked the partner organizations, European Return and Reintegration Network and the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, for taking the initiative to create the first ever joint public-private platform in Bangladesh for the welfare of migrants returning from abroad. He hoped that, the participating organizations would play a role in improving the conditions of returnee migrants, especially the women and the less skilled, as well as in the overall development of the country.

The PPP is supported by the European Union.

The pledge declares that participation by the 42 agencies or organizations will contribute to the purpose and objectives of the PPP Platform to carry out effective reintegration services and promote the social, economic, and development agenda of Bangladesh in the context of migration cycle.

The PPP members will contribute material, financial, and human resources to the establishment, activities, and services of the PPP, within the limits permitted by the respective partner organization.

Other notable presence included Mr. Md. Shahidul Alam (NDC), Director General, Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training; Mr. Md. Hamidur Rahman, Director General, Wage Earners Welfare Board; Sedef Dearing, Head of Silk Routes Region, ICMPD; and Marianne Ulbricht, Project Manager, ERRIN.

The signing concludes the first phase of the PPP initiative. The second phase will start in July 2022 to operationalise the partnership

#Bangladesh #ERRIN #PPPBangladesh #ICMPD #SilkRoutesregion #MRC