1 The RMMRU Wrking Paper Series presents papers in a preliminary frm. Mre infrmatin n the wrk and research prjects f RMMRU can be fund nline at www.rmmru.rg. Acknwledgements This dcument was prepared fr the Gvernment f Bangladesh and was submitted t the Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Emplyment Ministry and Planning Cmmissin f Bangladesh. Terms f Use This material may be published in its entirety, r nly in part, in newspapers, wire services, internet-based infrmatin netwrks and newsletters, yu are als free t use the infrmatin in yur radi-tv discussins r as a basis fr discussin in different cntexts, prvided that credit is given. If yu d chse t publish this material, yu must infrm us via email at inf@rmmru.rg Recmmended Citatin Siddiqui,Tasneem, Israt Jahan, Makfie Farah, Mtsim Billah, & Wahidur Rahman, (2010). Targeting Gd Gvernance: Incrpratin f Migratin in The 6 th Five Year Plan, (Wrking Paper Series 17, Dhaka: RMMRU) Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
2 INTRODUCTION 2009 Human Develpment Reprt f UNDP effectively drew the attentin t ptential human develpment gains frm migratin amng the migrants, their left behind family members, cmmunities and members f destinatin scieties. GFMD-CSD Recmmendatins f 2009 and Sympsium f Glbal Migratin Grup (GMG), May 2010 gave the highest imprtance t the issue f incrprating migratin int natinal develpment strategies and spent a lt f time in identifying key sectrs and actrs fr such mainstreaming. The upcming Glbal Migratin Reprt f IOM 2010 identified capacity building f structures t gvern migratin as the key area f attentin. All these glbal initiatives have suggested t, rigrusly analyse cre capacities f existing structures and identify pririty areas fr capacity building at natinal cntext. This dcument als targeted t develp the capacity f gvernment institutins which are invlved in gverning migratin. Capacity building is defined here as prcesses t sustainably adapt t changes that cntinuusly ccur in the glbal migratin scenari. ACHIEVEMENT IN MIGRATION GOVERNANCE Bangladesh is ne f the majr labur sending cuntries f the wrld. It initiated its activities t gvern migratin as early as in 1976. The then Labur Ministry empwered Bureau f Manpwer, Emplyment and Training (BMET) as the line agency t gvern migratin. Amng the Suth Asian cuntries, Bangladesh is ne f the first t replace the 1922 Emigratin Act with a new rdinance (1982 Emigratin Ordinance). It has established a separate ministry t gvern migratin as early as in 2001. Gradually in 2002, three rules were framed n the basis f 1982 Ordinance. The Overseas Emplyment Plicy has als been framed in 2006. Female migratin plicy was als changed in 2003 creating scpe fr regular migratin f unskilled and semi-skilled wmen. Currently the Ministry f EWOE has initiated a review prcess f 1982 Ordinance f the cuntry. It has als made significant investment in develpment f nline registratin and recruitment system. In rder t prduce skilled human resurce, the numbers f technical training institutins have been increased. T decentralise the functins f BMET number f DEMOs have als been increased. Majr changes have als taken place in the area f remittance gvernance. Transfer thrugh frmal channel has increased significantly due t use f innvative slutins. Last year Bangladesh received USD 10.7 billin as remittance. In FY 2008-09 remittances were equivalent t 56.1% f ttal exprt earnings. It culd finance 36.6% f ttal imprts. Remittances were almst 9 times the FDI flws t the cuntry and arund 4 times mre than ttal freign aid received. Mst imprtantly, it has significantly increased Bangladesh s Natinal Incme it is equivalent t 13% f GDP. A Wrld Bank study indicates that remittance flw has helped Bangladesh t cut pverty by 6% (FY 2006). Mre imprtantly it enabled the cuntry t maintain balance f payment surpluses fr mre than 5 years in a Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
3 rw, despite trade imbalances and stagnant FDI inflws. In Suth Asia, after the glbal financial crises Bangladesh is the nly cuntry with surplus current accunt balance. This is due t steady inflw f remittances. TURNING CRISIS INTO OPPORTUNITY Migratin has becme extremely cmpetitive and cmplex. The recent financial crisis deeply affected Bangladesh s glbal labur market. Since the crisis the gvernment has taken varius measures t prtect its labur markets. The hnurable Prime Minister f Bangladesh persnally visited Saudi Arabia, Suth Krea and Singapre and advcated fr recruitment f ur wrkers and prtectin f their rights. Cncerned gvernments have made cmmitments t help Bangladesh t maintain its labur markets. Nnetheless, in 2009 and in the first half f 2010 Bangladesh is experiencing dwnward trends in labur migratin. 1 Cmpared t 2007 and 2008 the figure has almst cme dwn t half. Saudi Arabia used t take mre than half f ur wrkers. Nw it has cme dwn t tw percent. After the recessin Malaysia started taking wrkers. Instead f Bangladesh it has taken Nepali and Sri Lankan male wrkers replacing Bangladeshis. In 2009, fifty six percent f ur ttal wrkers went t ne city f UAE. If fr any reasn we lse that market then number f Bangladeshi migrants will reduce alarmingly. Over the successive years, dwnturn in number f migrant will be reflected in dwnward remittance flw. Practical experiences f the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Cambdia, and Vietnam shwed that majr infrastructural capacity has t be develped t absrb such external shcks, and t prtect the cuntry s psitin in glbal labur market. In rder t gain back cuntry s psitin in the glbal labur market it is high time fr making significant investment in gverning the sectr. The current gvernment is in the prcess f finalising its five year develpment plan. As ne f the imprtant think tanks f the University f Dhaka n migratin, RMMRU felt that ensuring gd gvernance in migratin shuld be an imprtant cnsideratin f this five year plan. When this issue was raised befre the Finance Minister f Bangladesh, the hnurable minister advised RMMRU t prepare a paper and hand it ver t the Planning Cmmissin fr successful integratin f migratin and develpment in the sixth five year natinal develpment plan. METHODOLOGY After taking ver the respnsibility f preparing a dcument fr incrpratin migratin in the 6 th Five-Year Plan, a five-member wrking team was created at RMMRU. It identified varius areas fr capacity building thrugh meetings with the Minister f Expatriates Welfare, DG 1 See the Backgrund Paper n, Migratin Patterns and Trends f Bangladesh. Annex 1 Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
4 BMET and his cre functinaries. 2 Ministry f EWOW, BMET, DEMOs, TTCs, Labur Attache, issues f rights and welfare, interest f lng term Bangladeshis, and plicy and research were identified as key institutins and issue areas fr interventin. RMMRU rganised thrugh ne day lng wrkshp with DEMOs. 3 Expatriate Ministry and BMET functinaries and persnal interview and literature review prepared this dcument. An eighteen-member wrking grup prvided input n the draft. 4 The draft was then presented befre the civil sciety and plicy makers thrugh rganising a plicy dialgue. This final draft was prepared by RMMRU cre team by incrprating the cmments received at the plicy dialgue. The dcument begins with the presentatin f current institutinal arrangements, then highlights their cnstraints and finally ffers suggestins n institutinal requirements needed t better gvern the migratin prcessing. MINISTRY OF EXPATRIATES WELFARE AND OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT The ministry currently perfrms the fllwing functins Guide migratin gvernance by uphlding, amending and updating Overseas Emplyment Plicy f Bangladesh 2006. 5 Prmte, facilitate, mnitr and regulate migratin gvernance thrugh exercising the pwers under the Emigratin Ordinance f 1982 6 and rules framed under the rdinance 7. Lk after the interest f lng term Bangladeshi migrants. Manage all the agencies and training institutins invlved in migratin gvernance. Current Structure and Limitatin 2 RMMRU rganised a Plicy Dialgue n Incrprating Migratin Gvernance in the 6 th Five-Plan f Bangladesh at the Senate Bhaban f Dhaka University n 02 June 2010. The hnurable Expatriates Welfare Minister Engineer Khandker Msharraf Hssain, Chairman f PKSF, Dr. Qazi Khliquzzaman Ahmed, the Chair f the Parliamentary Standing Cmmittee fr Labur and Emplyment Mr. Mhammad Israfil Alam, Secretary f Ministry f EWOE Dr. Zafar Ahmed Khan, DG f BMET Mr. Khrshed Alam Chwdhury, Jint Chief f General Ecnmic Divisin f Planning Cmmissin Mr. Nader Bin Mahbub, Jint Secretary f Ministry f EWOE Ms. Begum Shamsunnahar and ther gvernment functinaries frm the MEWOE, BMET and Planning Cmmissin and representatives frm civil sciety rganizatins and NGOs and INGOs participated in the dialgue. The list f participants is attached in Annex-2. 3 RMMRU rganised a day-lng wrkshp n Better Gvernance f Labur Migratin: Capacity Building fr District Emplyment and Manpwer Officials n 29 April 2010 at the Htel Riggs Inn, Dhaka. The Secretary f the MEWOE, Dr. Zafar Ahmed Khan, Jint Secretary f MEWOE Ms. Begum Shamsunnahar, DG f BMET Mr. Khrshed Alam Chwdhury, Deputy Secretary f MEWOE Mr. Kazi Abul Kalam, Directr f Dr. Nurul Islam were attended the wrkshp. Fr the first time 42 DEMO fficials participated in a training wrkshp t share their views n challenges and pprtunities they get frm the gvernment. The list f participants is attached in Annex-3 4 The eighteen-member wrking grup included Deputy Secretary f MEWOE Mr. Kazi Abul Kalam, Dr. Nurul Islam f BMET, Dr. C R Abrar f RMMRU, Dr. Tasneem Siddiqui f RMMRU, Chair f Law Department f BRAC University Dr. Shah Deen Malik, Chairpersn f Law Faculty f Dhaka University Dr. Sumaiya Khair, etc. The list f participants is attached in Annex-4 5 See the Bangladesh Overseas Emplyment Plicy, 2006. Annex 5 6 See the Emigratin Ordinance, 1982. Annex 6 7 See the Emigratin Rules. Annex 7 Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
5 Currently the ministry has ne secretary, ne jint secretary and tw deputy secretaries t perfrm its regular functins. The current staffing is nt adequate t gvern and manage the migratin sectr. The desks f the ministry is rganised alng alphabetical rder f recruiting agencies. This des nt match the functins that the ministry has t perfrm in managing migratin. Because f lack f staff and infrastructures, except fr a few pressing nes,. In case f deplyment f labur attaches abrad, the ministry at present appints candidates frm different ministries fr the psitins. As many f them d nt have prir experience in the migratin field, they ften fail t deal with the issues with due care and diligence. Within the existing rgangram, the ministry lacks cmpetent and skilled staffs t guide plicy refrm and research agenda t effectively advance migratin management. Suggested Measures T perfrm jbs related t shrt term and lng term migrants it is suggested that the Ministry divides its functins under five brad heads and manage them by establishing five separate departments. These are: Facilitatin and Regulatin f Recruitment fr Overseas Emplyment Rights and Welfare Labur Attache Management Lng term Bangladeshi Affairs Plicy and Research On the basis f functins mentined abve, the minister and the secretary requires a ttal f five jint secretaries and ten deputy secretaries. The functins f these five departments wuld be: Regulatin and Recruitment: The department will guide and supervise the recruitment facilitatin functins f BMET and set rules under the BOEP and the Emigratin Ordinance fr cntinuusly adapt with changes ccurring in glbal and migratin cntext. It will als mnitr the perfrmance f BOESL. Rights and Welfare: the department will be liable t guide and crdinate the functins f the rights and welfare directrate. It will frame the guideline fr the directrate t define services which wuld cme under the rights and welfare. Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
6 Department f Labur Attache will recruit, train, prmte, deply and manage the labur attaches. It will give necessary guidelines and directins t the labur wings abrad. Department f Plicy and Research: This department will set necessary plicy refrm and research agenda, suggest amendment n Overseas Emplyment Plicy 2006 and emigratin rdinance 1982, guide BMET in cllecting market infrmatin, prepare mdel MUs and bilateral agreements t be pursued by Expatriate and Freign ministry. Budget Allcatin The Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Emplyment Ministry is the mst imprtant gvernment apparatus that manages the migratin sectr. The abve suggested measures t recast the ministry, the 6 th Five Year Plan require creating pprtunity fr greater allcatin t meet the cst f infrastructures, re- staffing and develpment activities. Resurce allcatin fr institutinal rerganisatin must be ensured frm the revenue budget and necessary infrastructure develpment t be brne frm the develpment budget. The ministry shuld get tw t three time higher budgets it currently receives. BUREAU OF MANPOWER, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING (BMET) BMET is the mst imprtant executing agency f Ministry f EWOE with regard t labur migratin. Currently it is in charge f registratin and clearance fr verseas emplyment; prcessing recruitment; cntrl and regulatin f Recruiting Agencies; market prmtin, diversificatin and prjectin f future labur demand; setting labur standards, training human resurce, imparting vcatinal training, prvide pre departure briefing; keeping recrd; prtectin f rights in destinatin cuntries; return and reintegratin and welfare f verseas wrkers. It als manages 42 District Emplyment and Manpwer ffices (DEMO) and 39 technical training centres. Current Structure f BMET and limitatins The present BMET rgangram was develped in 1984. This rgangram des nt adequately reflect functins that BMET is currently mandated t perfrm. Cmpared t increased number f cases internatinal migrants t be handled and increased cmplexity f the migratin prcess, BMET is heavily understaffed. Presently 596 psitins in different sectins are vacant ut f a ttal number f 2126 psitins. In the Emigratin sectin there are 43 psts. 29 f such psts are filled up by staff members f ther sectins and DEMOs. In the 1990s, n an average BMET handled 100-200 cases, the figure has risen t 5-6000 when migratin was at its pick in 2008-9., Therefre, the institutinal capacity f BMET Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
7 shuld be strengthened. BMET des nt have any allcatin t pay fr its day t day wrk that includes expenses fr statinery and essential equipments like cmputer. Suggested Measures BMET shuld nt simultaneusly perfrm regulatry and prgramme implementatin functins. BMET shuld cncentrate n facilitatin and regulatin f recruitment, recrd keeping, market prmtin and crdinatin f TTCs. A new rgangram has t be designed fr BMET. Instead f tw it shuld have five separate wings- a. Immigratin, b. Research and prmtin, c. Regulatin f recruiting agencies, d. Cmplaints and recvery and e. Training. Every wing shuld have its wn directrs. Vacant psitins shuld be filled immediately fllwing a cmpetitive prcess. Specific allcatin fr all lgistic supprt including statinery, cnveyance, and equipment has t be inbuilt in BMET budget. BMET shuld have 7 divisinal ffices in 7 Divisins acrss the cuntry. S that peple f each divisin can easily avail BMET services. BMET shuld be decentralised and cnduct sme f its recruitment functins thrugh the district level DEMO ffices. Budgetary Allcatin Current Budget f BMET is 4 Crre 77 Lacs. This is nt sufficient fr implementing the activities f BMET. This budget shuld be at least 10 crre taka per fiscal year. DISTRICT EMPLOYMENT AND MANPOWER OFFICES (DEMO) There are 42 District Emplyment and Manpwer Offices (DEMO) acrss the cuntry. DEMO is the first access pint fr migrants and their families. BMET can decentralize the activities by prviding lgistic, financial and technical supprt t DEMOs. Presently DEMO is respnsible t perfrm the fllwing functins such as nline registratin, nline cmplaint, and welfare fr families f deceased migrants. They can implement sme f the functins f BMET i.e., nline registratin; finger print; visa/wrk permit verificatin, cmplaint ldging and settlement f cmplaint; awareness n safe labur migratin, infrmatin disseminatin n available jb market; data keeping f returnee migrant, prviding pre-departure training, selectin and training f ptential female migrants; vcatinal guidance and welfare activities. Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
8 Existing Structure f the DEMOs and limitatins Currently the DEMOs are severely under-utilised. 21 new DEMO ffices d nt have basic ffice infrastructure and internet cnnectivity. One third f the 42 perating DEMOs d nt have respective heads. The present Assistant Directrs f ther DEMOs are respnsible fr mre than ne DEMO. In sme cases junir level fficials are perfrming the task. These fficials can nt lead DEMOs prperly due t lack f time and experience. The Assistant Directrs f DEMOs d nt have pprtunities fr prmtin. Many f the DEMO fficials d nt have cmputer skills. Recruitment plicy f DEMOs is nt linked t functinal requirements. Lack f crdinatin mechanism with BMET als wrks as a majr limitatin f DEMOs effective functining. Suggested Measures T cver all the districts 22 mre DEMO ffices are need t be established in thse districts where they d nt exist. DEMO will take ver sme f the recruitment functins f BMET. Accrdingly Welfare Directrate will als implement sme f its functins thrugh DEMO. DEMO will implement the fllwing functins which are currently perfrming by BMET. The functins are- nline registratin and fingerprint, visa and wrk permit verificatin, nline cmplaint, welfare fr families f deceased migrants, awareness campaign at the grassrts n jb market, hsting three mnthly updated list f licensed RAs, recrd generatin n returnee migrants. Capacity f DEMOs shuld be enhanced by increasing psts, filling existing psts, bringing back thse deputed elsewhere. Quarterly skill upgrade and infrmatin update training needs t be imparted. Each DEMOs need at least 20 staff members fr prper functining. Ideally a DEMO in a high migratin intensity area shuld have ne Assistant Directr, fur Deputy Assistant Directrs, eight Migrant Service fficers, tw Cmputer Operatrs, and five supprting and ther staffs. Recruitment prcess shuld be mdified. It is very imprtant t make cmputer skills as the basic jb requirement. Recruitment may be brught under gvernment cadre system. Budgetary Allcatin Current Budget fr DEMOs are 7 crre 88 lac. This budget is nt adequate fr running 42 DEMOs. The minimum budgetary allcatin fr the DEMOs shuld be 50 crre taka fr a fiscal year. Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
9 DEVELOPING HUMAN RESOURCE FOR INTERNATIONAL MARKET The Overseas Emplyment Plicy f 2006 highlights that Bangladesh shuld expand deplyment f skilled human resurce. This will reduce explitatin f Bangladeshi wrkers in labur market and remittance inflw will als increase. In rder t increase deplyment f skilled human resurce Bangladesh needs t create a large pl f prfessinal and skilled wrkers. T prduce such human resurce, a large number f quality technical and vcatinal training institutins and trainers are essential. Current Structures and Limitatin Currently BMET manages thirty eight Technical Training Centres (TTCs) in Bangladesh. Last year they trained 47,115 persns. Eighteen ther ministries als run Technical training centres. Technical trainings are als imparted by different private rganisatins. Twenty six f the thirty eight training centres are managed by BMET under Ministry f Labur and the rest twelve are managed under Ministry f EWOE. These training centres target bth lcal emplyment as well as internatinal emplyment. There is always a tensin between tw ministries in managing and designing the trainings. Such a situatin des nt allw develpment f cmprehensive prgrammes targeting the verseas market. These TTCs altgether have 2000 trainers. Besides, the trainers hardly receive regular TTs t update them with the changes that are ccurring in the jb market. All the TTCs face majr budget deficit. Sme f them were established under develpment budget. When the develpment budget finished they have n resurces t impart training prgrammes. The Bangladesh Technical Educatin Bard (BTEB) f the Educatin Ministry is respnsible fr apprving the training curricula f BMET. It is als respnsible fr crdinating training rganised by different ministries. BTEB actually is nt equipped with knwledge required fr develping basic minimum syllabus. Besides, bureaucratic prcedure f BTEB wrks as hindrance in quick update f training curricula reflecting the demands f jb market. Suggested Measures T ensure market driven trainings, all 38 TTCs managed by BMET shuld be brught under the Ministry f EWOE. All the TTCs shuld be equipped with updated training equipments. The capacity f the trainers shuld be regularly updated with cntinuus TTs. Freign experts shuld be brught in. Schlarships shuld be ffered t the trainers fr enhancing their skills abrad. Minimum standard f training may be jintly set by BTEB, cncerned ministries and private training institutins. This may help multiply trained human resurces wh are Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
10 equipped t take verseas emplyment. Inter-ministerial and inter-agency crdinatin is highly required t maximise the utcme in human resurce develpment. A large pl f resurces needs t be allcated t ensure the abve mentined qualities f trainings. Resurce shuld be allcated fr strengthening TTCs bth under revenue and develpment budget. Gvernment can als seek assistance frm develpment partners. Budgetary Allcatin Current Budget fr TTCs is 22 crre 50 lac. This budget is nt even adequate fr develping the adequate number f human resurces. The budget shuld be at least 100 crre taka fr running the activities efficiently. DEPARTMENT OF LABOUR ATTACHÉ Labur Attaches perfrm majr functins in the cuntries f destinatin. They explre ptential labur markets, attest dcuments pertaining t recruitment and ensure prtectin and welfare f migrant wrkers. Lack f structure and its Limitatin Currently the ministry fills up the psitins f labur attaches frm different ministries. The labur attaches lack prir training. They nly learn the trade in jb. This is nt sufficient fr managing cmplex labur market situatins. The migrants als d nt get the service they deserve. The current system als fails t capture and subsequently utilize the acquired skills and knwledge f cncerned persn. In the receiving cuntries, the labur wings are nt well equipped t deal with the issues f migrant wrkers. Labur wings are nw perating nly in 15 cuntries. This is nt prprtinate t the ttal stck f migrant wrkers dispersed in different cuntries. Suggested Measures A separate Labur Attaché department shuld be set up within the EWOW ministry. Persnnel fr the psitin shuld be recruited thrugh cadre service. Therefre they will be recruited n a permanent basis, trained and deplyed by the Ministry. The department will perfrm the fllwing functins: This department will develp tl fr the labur attaches t prmte and develp f emplyment pprtunities Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
11 It will assist the labur attaches in negtiating terms and cnditins f emplyment with agencies abrad. It will ensure fast scrutiny and attestatin prcess by prviding web based slutins. It will set a target fr a given year in terms f labur recruitment fr missins. This will give the necessary guidelines and directins t the labur wings abrad in the areas f market explratin, recruitment related functins and prtectin f welfare f migrant wrkers. The department will set up new labur wings in the labur receiving cuntries. In this regard the cuntries, hsting 50 thusand and abve migrant wrkers, there shuld be separate labur wing. Existing structure f labur wings within the mi: A Senir Assistant Secretary frm the MOEWE r equivalent wuld lead the la ssin shuld be recasted. In this regard the rgangram f labur wings can bebur wings. A minimum f three assciates t be appinted wh wuld be directly accuntable t the senir assistant secretary. The three assciates have t have educatinal backgrund and expertise in trade and cmmerce (preferably MBA), law, and labur issues t deal with the issues like market explratin, prtectin and welfare and recruitment related functins respectively. The appintment f these assciates shuld be thrugh ministry s cadre service. Allwing the invlvement f established NRB with the functins f labur wings in respective cuntries will extend its scpe fr greater efficiency in functining. A strng recmmendatin is t ensure that the number f persnnel mentined abve shuld be prprtinate t the size f the migrant labur frce in respective hst cuntries. Budgetary Allcatin The department shuld get at least 50 crre taka per fiscal year t better serve the migrants. DIRECTORATE OF RIGHTS AND WELFARE In the Philippines and Sri Lanka the rights and welfare functins ffered t migrants are perfrmed by a separate bdy under the Ministry. The Ministry f EWOE des nt have any such wing r gvernmental financial allcatin t mange welfare functins. In 1990, n the basis f the Emigratin Ordinance f 1982, the Gvernment f Bangladesh created a fund with the subscriptin f migrant wrkers. This fund is managed by an inter-ministerial bdy. Till tday the wage earners fund is the nly surce thrugh which the gvernment f Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
12 Bangladesh is prviding welfare supprt t migrant wrkers and their families. Its regular services such as the pre-departure briefing prgramme f BMET are als managed with this fund. In ther wrds, n allcatin has been made in revenue r develpment budget fr activities related t prtectin f rights and welfare t the migrants. Currently, welfare functins mstly cncentrate n prviding service t deceased migrants families. Suggested Measures A Directrate shuld be created under the Ministry f EWOE entitled Rights and Welfare. The functins f the Directrate at hme wuld include Manage Wage Earner s Welfare Fund. Thrugh the DEMOs and civil sciety rganisatins prvide pre-departure rientatin briefing t ptential migrants at district level. Organise district level jb fairs fr utging and returnee migrants. Organise prgrammes fr return and reintegratin. Link returnee migrants and current migrants families with investment pprtunities f Prbashi Kalyan Bank and ther banks. Invlve civil sciety rganisatins in cnducting research and awareness campaign at the grassrts. The gvernment may cnsider setting up Migrants Wrkers Resurce Centres (MWRC), if pssible within the premises and under the administrative jurisdictin f the Bangladesh Embassy in cuntries where there are large cncentratins f Bangladeshi wrkers. The MWRC are t prvide the fllwing services: Cunselling and legal services Welfare assistance including the prcurement f medical and hspitalizatin services Infrmatin and advisry prgrammes t prmte pst-arrival rientatin, settlement and cmmunity netwrking services and activities fr scial interactin Arrange varius frms f recreatin fr the migrant wrkers Institute a scheme f registratin f undcumented wrkers Human resurce develpment such as training and skill upgrading Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
13 Gender sensitive prgrammes and activities t assist special needs f wmen migrant wrkers Orientatin prgramme fr returning wrkers Mnitring n wrk cnditins affecting migrant wrkers Repatriatin f returnee wrkers The gvernment shuld cnduct its regular functins with wn funds. Therefre, necessary budgetary allcatin has t be made fr establishment f required infrastructure, staffing and cnductin f regular functins f the directrate. WEWF shuld nly be used in prviding welfare t migrants and their family members. There has t be allcatin frm revenue and develpment budget fr the psitins and infrastructure f the Directrate. Negtiate with thers including develpment partners t enhance the reach f welfare activities at the grassrts. Budgetary Allcatin The department shuld get at least 70 crre taka per fiscal year as the department will lk int the rights f welfare f the migrants. DEPARTMENT OF LONG TERM BANGLADESHIS Current structure and Limitatin The Ministry f EWOE is vested t perfrm the fllwing functins with regard t nn-resident Bangladeshis, help flurish Bangladeshi culture amng NRBs; assist nnresident Bangladeshis t invest in Bangladesh; t integrate NRBs in the ecnmic develpment and scial welfare activities in Bangladesh and maintain cntact with Bangladeshi assciatins verseas. Due t lack f adequate staff there is n authrised persn t exclusively deal with nn-resident Bangladeshi affairs. As a result their cncerns mstly remain unattended as the cncerned fficer has t deal with many ther issues. Suggested measures Appint a jint secretary and necessary supprt staff wh wuld be in-charge f NRB affairs. Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
14 Develp a database f NRBs by mbilising the embassies. Thrugh discussin with NRBs identify areas f services t serve better serve the nn resident Bangladeshi cmmunity abrad. Publish brchures and develp a website n investment pprtunities available in Bangladesh t disseminate infrmatin amng ptential investrs. Take initiative t prtect prperty and ther interests f NRBs Identify areas and disseminate infrmatin abut pssible participatin f NRBs in philanthrpic activities in Bangladesh. Budgetary Allcatin The department shuld get at least 20 crre taka fr per fiscal year t create link with the NRBs. DEPARTMENT FOR POLICY AND RESEARCH Current Structures and Limitatins Currently the Ministry des nt any particular fficer respnsible fr plicy and research issues. Suggested Measures Appint a jint secretary and necessary supprt staff wh wuld be in-charge fr Department f Plicy and Research Amng ther things the Department shuld perfrm the fllwing rles: Migratin plicy frmulatin and review Prepare cuntry psitin papers fr varius internatinal frums such as the Clmb Prcess, the Glbal Frum n Migratin and Migratin, and ILO and IOM meetings n migratin Cnduct study n future demand f verseas emplyment Situatin analysis n current trend f migratin and remittances Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
15 Facilitate reprting n existing migratin situatin including statistical infrmatin, skill develpment training, etc. Budgetary Allcatin The department shuld get at least 5 crre taka per fiscal year t undertake plicy and research. CONCLUSION The dcument suggested sme majr reshuffling f functins f the Ministry f Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Emplyment. It suggested that t ensure effective gvernance f migratin the ministry shuld be empwered adequately. Basing n the nature f functins, it suggested creating f five separate departments have t be created in the Ministry. These are: a. Regulatin f recruitment; b. Rights and Welfare; c. Labur Attache Management; d. Interest f Lng Term Bangladeshis; and d. Plicy and Research. It als suggested fr a separate cadre fr the Ministry may be initiated fr prper management f the functinaries. The paper recmmended that instead f managing all aspects f migratin, BMET shuld nly cncentrate n regulatin f recruitment, keeping f recrds, and managing training centres. BMET shuld als decentralise sme f its recruitment prcessing functins t ensure services at the district level, the dcument suggested. Mrever, capacity f existing DEMOs shuld be develped t handle sme specific recruitment functins. The paper suggested establishing a new directrate n rights and welfare t ensure migrants rights bth at hme and hst cuntries. The paper highly recmmended that the Expatriates Welfare Ministry shuld be entrusted with all the respnsibilities f recruitment, training, appintment, deplyment f labur attaches t. Finally, the paper argued fr keeping prvisin in the 6 th five year plan fr allcatin f adequate resurce bth in revenue and develpment budget fr all the abve mentined capacity develpment f the ministry. Cnsidering the restructuring f the ministry and its institutins the sectr shuld be prvided at least equivalent f 0.5 percent f the remittances sent in a fiscal year. 0.5 percent f the remittance f 2008-09 fiscal year stands three hundred seventy crre taka. The prpsed budget f the paper is arund three hundred and fifty crre taka that cnstitute less than 0.5 percent f the remittance. If the ministry and its assciated agencies are nt equipped adequately thrugh implementing abve suggestins, Bangladesh will nt be able t adapt t the changes that are Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg
16 cntinuusly ccurring in the glbal migratin cntext and will lse its niche market t ther cmpeting cuntries. Refugee and Migratry Mvements Research Unit (RMMRU) Sattar Bhaban (4 th Flr), 3/3- E, Bijynagar, Dhaka 1000; Tel: 88-02- 9360338; Fax: 88-02- 8362441; Email: <inf@rmmru.rg,>, <rmmrubj@aitlbd.net>; Web: www.rmmru.rg