office@warbe.org.bd
07 February, 2017
WARBE Development Foundation with the support of AWO International and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Government of Bangladesh organized a Dialogue on “Governance of Migration towards GFMD 2016” on 13th April, 2016, which was held at the UNCLOS Conference Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Shegun Bagicha, Dhaka. The objectives of this dialogue were: Revision on the Recruitment reform & Remittance reform in Bangladesh, Connecting Migration agenda in the SDG indicators, Analyzing possibilities for engaging the Bangladeshi Diaspora in efforts to improve migrants’ rights protection and Assessment of the current framework of global governance of migration and development. The dialogue started with the welcome speech of Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE Development Foundation and with brief presentation on GFMD and high level dialogue (UNHLD). Ms. Rahnuma Salam Khan, Senior Assistant Chief of Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare & Overseas Employment (MEWOE), spoke on sub themes, round table topics on 9th GFMD. Whereas, M. Azharul Huq, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare & Overseas Employment (MEWOE), focused on importance of skill development & labor migration. Mr. Reaz Hamidullah, Director General of MoFA discussed on the roles of Civil society during the CSD of GFMD and also clarify the roles of the Governments for making the GFMD summit a successful one. Mr. Ali Haider Chowdhury, Senior Vice President of BAIRA, discussed on labor safety in sending and receiving country and the mechanism that practiced by the Overseas Recruitment Agencies. Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, BNNRC spoke on Media coverage and its involvement in GFMD preparatory process. Dr. Wajedul Islam Khan, Secretary General of Trade Union Center (TUC), discussed on the communication issue and Vocational education in Trade union. Sumaiya Islam from BOMSA emphasized on protection of the rights of the undocumented workers. Sarwat Binte Islam, Program Manager MJF, said lowering the cost of migration should be focused in GFMD. Ms. Shaheen Anam, Executive Director, Manusher Jonno Foundation Chaired and moderate the entire program. News Link: http://www.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/article/829150 http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2016/04/13/26055/Strengthen-foreign-missions-to-help-migrants
07 February, 2017
wo representatives for ICMC, Brussels, Belgium visited Dhaka, Bangladesh from 26th September to 30th September 2016. Ms. Laura Hieber (ICMC) and Leila Marzo (MADE Network), visited Dhaka on the occasion of arranging the venue and other logistics supports during the 9th GFMD from 8-12 December 2016. WARBE DF hosted their travel and visit arrangement. As per their visit agenda, WARBE DF scheduled meeting with IOM (arranger of GFMD Government Days on behalf of MoFA), visit venue and meeting with BICC & Intercontinental authority, Visit all pre-selected Hotels, Discussion with DRIK for decoration and exhibition setup etc. The guests stayed at Hotel Lake Castle, one the selected hotel for GFMD CSD delegates. The visit also visited all hotels like: Hotel Ascott, Nordic, Platinum Hotels, De Castle and Orchard Hotels. They also scrutinize their rooms, services, security, and transport services etc. On their last day of Visit, WARBE also hosted a leisure tour at different sightseeing spots of Dhaka and different shopping mall. They also enjoyed different historical places of Dhaka, and finally fly to Brussels, Belgium on 30th September 2016.
07 February, 2017
he Welfare Association for the Rights of Bangladeshi Emigrants (WARBE) Development Foundation organized a media consultation on ‘Bangladesh Annual Migration Report-2016’ supported by AWO International e.V. and DanCharch Aid held on 31 December 2016 at A.S. Mahmud Seminar Hall, The Daily Star, Dhaka. In the seminar, Mahjabeen Khaled, Awami League lawmaker also a foreign affairs parliamentary standing committee member, addressed as the chief guest, and the entire program was moderated by Syed Saiful Haque, chairman, WARBE Development Foundation. WARBE Development Foundation launched the “Bangladesh Annual Migration Report 2016” in this program. Presenting the report, Jasiya Khatoon, Director, WARBE Development Foundation spoke that our migrant workers are being tortured mentally and physically while the risk of being radicalised has emerged in 2016 in the list of challenges. Referring to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training’s (BMET) data the WARBE report says, remittance earnings decreased by 17 percent from US$ 15.27 billion in 2015 to US$ 12.651 billion mainly due to a slump in global oil prices. Sarowat Binte Islam, programme manager of Manusher Jonno Foundation, focused on defending our female migrants from torture. Shameen Ahmed, Joint Secretary General, Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira) said that bilateral agreements are worker-friendly. BMET Director General Selim Reza said our migrant workers should follow proper migration channels. Less dependency on the middle men will reduce the sufferings. Awami League lawmaker Mahjabeen Khaled, also a foreign affairs parliamentary standing committee member, said the government was working on developing a parliamentary caucus to address all issues of migrants.
06 February, 2017
WARBE Development Foundation and Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP) have jointly organized a program on ‘Pre- Budget Discussion: Migrant Workers Perspective’ under the banner of Bangladesh Civil Society Coordination Committee (BCSCC) on GFMD 2016. The consultation was held on 09 May 2016 (Monday) from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm at the VIP Lounge, National Press Club, Dhaka. The objective of this consultation was to highlight the contribution of migrant workers in Bangladesh national economy and budgetary allocation for migrants’ well being. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE Development Foundation, moderated the program. Mr. Jabed Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare & Overseas Employment (MEWOE) was present as the chief guest. An inaugural speech was delivered by Ms. Jasiya Khatoon, Director of WARBE DF. Mr. Shakirul Islam, Chirman, of OKUP has presented an analysis on budget allocation for migration sector. Mr. Faruque Ahmed, Secretary General, WARBE DF, Mr. Atiqun Nabi, Executive Director, INAFI Bangladesh, Ms. Sarowat Binte Islam, Program Manager, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Mr. Omar Faruque Chowdhury, Executive Director, OKUP were deliberated their valuable speech. Mr. Ali Haider Chowdhury, Senior Vice President, Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) was present and delivered his remarkable speech.
06 February, 2017
DanChurchAid and WARBE Development Foundation under the banner of Bangladesh Civil Society Coordination Committee (BCSCC) on 12th May, at Asian SR Hotel, Station Road, Chittagong 2016. Objective of this conference and consultation in Chittagong was mobilized and focused on some thematic areas of migration like: types of migration, prospects and problems of migration, migration cost, recruitment reform, problems of international migrants, role of civil society for protecting migrants’ rights and GFMD & PGA. Ms. Jaysia Khatoon, Director-WARBE DF briefly presents the background on organizing 9th GFMD in Bangladesh for better understanding of the participants. She covered the following topics: Background of GFMD (Informal, Non- binding, Voluntary and Govt. lead process), which starts from 2007, Scenario of all GFMD (2007-2015) and UNHLD 2013, Theme of Dhaka GFMD 2016 (which will cover 6 round table), organizing Civil society day, PGA- celebration (6-10 December, 2016), formation of BCSCC (Bangladesh civil society coordination committee), Linking migration with all issues of SDGs- especially goal no. 5.2, 8.7/8.8,10.7/10.c, 16.2, and 17.18. Other speakers were Mr. Utpal Barua, ED, Bright Bangladesh, Mr. Ali Haider Chowdhury, BAIRA, Mr. Zahirul Alam, Director-Chittagong DEMO, Mr. Faruque Ahmed, Secretary General, WARBE DF and Mr. Christine Wolf, DCA. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE DF moderate the consultation. The representatives from non-government organizations, community based organizations (CBO), civil society, and the enthusiastic professionals from law and journalism joined in this consultation. In this consultation district forum was formed along with the guests was coming from different districts.
06 February, 2017
The program was organized at the prime location of Sylhet, considering the communication facilities for the participants. Thus the event was organized at the conference room of Hotel Supreme, Mirabazar, Sylhet. The venue was well equipped with modern facilities like: fully Air Conditioning system, sound system, sitting arrangement for 60-70 persons, and dining facilities. The overall objective of this divisional consultation is “To share the purpose, objectives and theme tracks of the 9th GFMD, clarify the role of Civil Society to validate their activities at grassroots level for ascertain the migrants rights and assiduousness of national development. The chair of the program was the Executive Director of IDEA (one of the leading local NGO in Sylhet); whereas Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE Development Foundation was the moderator. Among the panel discussant, Md. Faruque Ahmed, Secretary General, WARBE Development Foundation, Ms. Nasrin Jahan Fatema, Women Vice Chairman, Upazila Sadar, Sylhet, Mr. Tanvir Mahmud, IBP Manager-Climate & Migration Governance Expert, PROKAS Programme, British Council and Mr. Nasir Uddin Ahmed, Executive Director, REDO was present. The Sylhet Divisional Additional Commissioner (Revenue), Mr. Mrinal Kanti Deb was the chief guest of the program. A key note presentation was given by the Director of WARBE Development Foundation Ms. Jasiya Khatoon.
05 February, 2017
The program was organized under the banner of Bangladesh Civil Society Coordination Committee (BCSCC), by the WARBE Development Foundation and Bangladesh Ovibashi Adhikra Forum (BOAF). The event was funded by UKaid, with the support of Promoting Knowledge for Accountable Systems (PROKAS), British Council. The program was organized at the prime location of Khulna, considering the communication facilities for the participants. Thus the event was organized at the auditorium of Khulna Circuit House, Khulna. In total 55 participants attended at the program, among them 8 where from the organizers and 47 emanated from different NGOs, Government institutions, local governments, Educational institutions, Media, Trade Unions etc.lllll The chair of the program was the honorable Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Khulna Mr. Nazmul Ahsan; whereas Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE Development Foundation was the moderator. Among the panel discussant, Ms. Saleha Khatun, Project Officer-PROKAS, Mr. Prosanta Kumar Biswas, ED-SEDOP, Adv. Shofiul Azam Suzun, Khulna bar council, Ms. Mahmuda Begum, Women Commissioner, Khulna City Corporation and Mr. Ali Siddik, Assistant Director-DEMO were present. The honorable Member of Parliament (MP) of Khulna-2 Mr. Alhaj Mijanur Rahman was the chief guest of the program. A key note paper was presented by the Director of WARBE Development Foundation Ms. Jasiya Khatoon. Two returnee migrants shared their experiences to the audiences. The purpose of this session is to render the existing migration scenario of the region and analyzing the challenges faced by the migrants in country and abroad. In the open floor discussion session, the Manager of Probashi Kallayan Bank (Migrants Welfare Bank) Mr. Barun Kumar Das said, the PKB has become a role model for other migrant workers sending countries. Although it now facing some fund crisis, but soon it will resolve if it start its services as commercial bank.
19 January, 2017
A two days long workshop on “Capacity Building Workshop for Network Partners” organized by Bangladesh Ovibashi Adhikar Forum (BOAF) and Supported by WARBE Development Foundation and AWO International held at DISA Academy, Mirpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh on 4-5 June 2016. The key objectives behind organizing this capacity building workshop were- to strengthen the network on the issues of migration, migrants rights, and development, to ensure a basic understanding among the participants on the key focuses of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD), to chalk out a plan of action for the division & district level networks focusing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) & Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in 2016. Network members of BOAF from different districts participated in this workshop. On 4 June, 2016 the workshop began with the welcome speech of Md. Faruque Ahmed, Secretary General, Bangladesh Ovibashi Adhikar Forum (BOAF). He spoke about the dignity of female migrant workers; especially in Saudi Arabia they are really in distressed condition. He said, our government should emphasize on the dignity of the female migrant workers in destination country but unfortunately they are not doing that. So we want to raise a collective voice. BOAF looks up to expanding its activities in 8 divisions in an unified and uniformed manner to help the victims. He discussed on the likely outcome of the participants out of attending this workshop. Nazmul Ahsan, President, Bangladesh Ovibashi Adhikar Forum (BOAF) thanked the audience for coming all the way, and WARBE DF for supporting for this program. He also thanks OKUP, and BOMSA for the inspiration in building such a forum for the migrant workers. He says, BOAF wants to build their forum in 8 divisions, through which a migrant worker, living at the rural area and having least idea and information regarding safe migration will be benefited from. He also requested everyone to share their experience if they had experienced any problems. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE DF, welcomed the participants for coming all the way and attending this workshop. He basically discussed on the background of GFMD. He said the idea of GFMD came out from the UN’s High Level Dialogue in 2006. A large number of UN foreign delegates expressed their interest in continuing the dialogue on migration and development. The GFMD’s strong link with the United Nations is maintained through the Special Representative of the Secretary General on International Migration and Development. However, GFMD is an informal, voluntary global forum. The 1st GFMD took place in Belgium in July 2007. After Belgium, it was held in the Philippines. The host government has the responsibility for the preparation process and the implementation of forum. First 2 days are allocated for Civil Society’s discussion, next day for common space & last 2 days for government discussion. PGA also provides the essential space to allow civil society to connect the governments’ in GFMD process. The next GFMD will take place in Germany, 2017. Abdullah Al Mamun, Program Manager, OKUP, in his speech spoke on the idea on migration context in Bangladesh. He started his discussion with some statistics about the migrant workers. He also mentioned that 80% of total migrant workers are interested to go to Middle East, Malaysia & Singapore but our government does not have any proper record of the number of their return and death. Day by day they are contributing to our economy by sending their valuable remittance. He divided the whole participants into 3 groups for a workshop. Group-1 has to identify the pre departure problems; group-2 has to identify their problem in destination countries & group-3 has to the problems when they return. Group-1: Financial Problems. Lack of information regarding the types of works. Wrong information of the destination country. Language problems. Lack of skill. No info from the relevant organization. Every year 13-15 lac are entering in the job market, one third of them are the age of (1-22 years). We have a law on the rights of their information, but they do not know about that. So we should aware them by spreading the information. Group-2: Accommodation, Salary, Health, No support from Embassy, Torture by owner, Kafala System, Our migrant workers still don’t get any help from the Embassy in the destination country. They also don’t have enough staffs for guiding them. Group-3: Different disease. Mental sickness. Don’t have enough loans to start a business. Lack of safety. No social respect. Kazi Abul Kalam (Joint Secretary, Member, NCTBB) He spoke on the context of Migration issues in Bangladesh. He started his discussion with the migration trend of our workers. In Qatar we have 91%migration workers of the total population. Like UAE (88%), Kuwait (72%) the number of migrant workers is almost high t
04 January, 2017
WARBE Development Foundation organized a Consultation on ‘Women Migrant’s Rights in Light of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, supported by AWO International, at the Reporter’s Unity, Sagar & Runi auditorium, Dhaka on 15th March 2016 from 10:30am to 1:00 pm. Before the consultation there was a human chain held in front of press club where representatives from WARBE Development Foundation, Baangladesh Ovibashi Adhikar Forum (BOAF), returnee female migrant workers and other NGO representatives attended. The human chain held demanding for setting SDGs goals including women migrants and their right, implementing the right protecting laws and treaties for the women migrant workers, and ratification of ILO convention 189. The objective of the consultation are: i) To oversee into the target & goals of the SDGs on protection of women migrants ii) Allow state ensure the migrants women rights in the development discourse on SDGs iii) Ratification of Domestic Worker ILO convention 189 Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE Development Foundation, welcomed everyone and gave his welcome speech. He thanked the audience to be presented on the consultation on women migrant’s rights in light of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He played the role of moderator in the entire consultation. Jasiya Khatoon, Director, WARBE DF, spoke as the key note speaker. She said, most of the female workers go to UAE for domestic work, but they are not safe there. Also they face multi-problems within the country like middlemen involvement, machine readable passport, 21 days training etc. She says, 21 day long training is not sufficient for developing sound skill. Also she says, women migrants face certain problems in the destination countries like health problem, food problem. Women migrant’s rights should be included in the setting up of SDG indicators, she added. Tapoti Bhattachariya, Ain o Salish Kendra, says she wonders why women go abroad, where they come across so many forms of abuses and negligence. And the government is not also sincere about their sufferings. Moreover, they migrate abroad leaving behind all the dear ones in the family. Still they do not acquire sufficient knowledge about the destination countries. That is also a big reason why they face problem overseas. Murshida Akhtar, General Secretary, Jatio Garhosto Nari Shromik Network, says- there are the incidents of recovering dead bodies of many girls across the country which, in most cases, go unreported. Even dead body was found at the house of government secretary. So, above all, the government servants need to be conscious and dutiful. And protests should be ignited from everywhere. If the women fail to protest then they are not likely to stand upright. Pulok Ranjan Dhar, General Secretary, Bangladesh Construction and Wood Worker’s Federation (BCWWF), says Trade Union always addresses the plights and distresses of the women worker. Also they place many demands in favor of the women workers. Trade Union is always beside WARBE with their any involvement on the issue of women workers and their rights. Sumaiya Islam, Director, BOMSA, says- women play a very significant and remarkable role in building the society, which is no less than the men. She also says- women should be aware of the rules and laws of destination countries. If Trade Union, labors, NGOs, Civil Societies work together with this issue then this problem will go away. Faruque Ahmed, Secretary General, WARBE Development Foundation, says- government should address the issue of women abuses abroad. He also said, government should provide them state protection. The cancellation of the deal with Malaysia is due to the failure of the government. Abul Hossain, Trade Union leader, says- if there were employments within the country people would not go abroad. There should not be any discrimination on men and women. The political situation of Middle East and Syria is restless and currently there is no life guarantee. So sending people over there is like putting them into danger. Establish rights is a basic need. It may come through peacefully, or through violence. After the discussions of the speakers the floor was open to all. One returnee victim migrant worker shares her story of distress and abuse during her staying abroad. After all the fruitful discussion, Mr. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE Development Foundation, urges every stakeholders to work together, and fearlessly to fight against this kind of dire social problems which puts the women in sheer jeopardy. He again thanks everyone for participating and making the consultation a fruitful one and concludes the meeting.
WARBE Development Foundation, B183 Rd 21, Dhaka-1206
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