Celebration of International Migrants Day 2016

On 4th December 2000 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the 18 December as “International Migrants Day” in order to underline “the need to make further efforts to ensure respect for the human rights as fundamental freedoms of all migrants” and invited member states as well as intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to observe this day by inter alia, undertaking advocacy efforts relating to the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants.

WARBE Development Foundationaa has been one of the Migrants’ rights upholders advocating for the recognition of the 18 December as International Migrants Day and has been observing, since its inception, every year the “Day of Solidarity with Migrant Workers and Members of their Families” on the 18 December in celebration of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of all Migrants Workers and Members of Their Families.

This year 2016, the International Migrants Day was celebrated at National Level with due enthusiasm. The Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment (MEWOE) took the leadership to celebrate the day in collaboration with civil society organizations, migrant associations, UN organizations and private agencies. The Day is observed with the slogan “UNNOYONER MOHASOROKE OVIBASHIRA SOBAR AGE”. It means in the Highway of Development Migrants are Ahead. Different activities including rally (nationally, districts & sub-districts level), discussion, debate, art competition, TV talk show and cultural performances have taken place during a daylong programme.

 

International Migrants Day Rally & Solidarity Human Chain:

The mass rally headed by Mr. Nurul Islam BSc, Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment (MEWOE). Rally started in front of Bangladesh Parliament and ended up at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC), Dhaka animated with attractive banners, festoons, and chanting slogans. WARBE distributed T-shirts & Caps to all the participating partners and members which delivering the message: “UNNOYONER MOHASOROKE OVIBASHIRA SOBAR AGE” produced for the occasion and distributed leaflet and posters informing on the migration realities and the signification of the IMD. Secretary of the MEWOE and the Director General of BMET participated in the rally. Different Government officials from MEWOE and BMET, migrant associations, INGOs and NGOs took part in the rally in a colorful mode. Special supplement was published in different newspapers to mark the day.

 

The Day ffwas dignified with the presence of government, along with migrants and their families in the same roof. Migrant remitters and their families joined the rally and had high voice protecting their rights. Migrant remitters are driving the wheel of national economy, highlighted by remitter’s family. WARBE assembled number of migrant remitters and their family members on the eve of celebrating International Migrants Day. They participated in Government rally, they carried banner and festoons stated protection of migrant rights.

 

Interactive Discussion Meeting and Cultural Program:

Mr. Nurvvul Islam BSc, Honorable Minister of the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment (MEWOE) attended the discussion meeting as Chief Guest. Mr. Nurul Mojid Mahmud Humaiyun, MP, Chairman of the Standing Committee of MEWOE and Mr. Md. Shahriar Alam, MP, honorable State Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs respectively gave speeches in the meeting as Special Guest. Ms. Begum Shamsun Nahar, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment chaired the meeting while Mr. Selim Reza, Director General of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) deliberated his welcome speech. The program ended up with pleasing cultural events. WARBE and other partner organizations took part in all the events with due enthusiasm.

 

Stall & Exhibition:

dddWARBE decorated a stall along with other organizations in the vast hall room showing all publications and enjoyed the magnificent day. The invited guests along with Government High Officials visited the stall and show interest about publication and activity. Most importantly Government officials showed their earnest interest on empowering migrants’ family and their reunification. It was a success as we celebrate the day with easy access of mass people. In the long day program WARBE disseminate different materials to the invited guests.

 

 

TV Talk Show:

Another important program was a TV talk show at Desh TV which has been broadcasted at 6.30 pm on 18 Decembertt evening. The guest speakers were Ms. Nurjahan Begum Mukta, Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Md. Jabed Ahmed, Additional Secretary, MEWOE and Ms. Jasiya Khatoon, Director of WARBE DF where Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE DF was moderator of the talk show. The main discussion issues were history of international migrants’ day, rights & protection of migrants, women migrant workers rights & dignity, social & economic cost of migration, importance of skill development training, migration governance etc.