Visit of ICMC representatives in Dhaka on Occasion of GFMD Civil Society Days (CSD) Event Preparation

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.

20 March, 2017

On the eve of International Women’s Day-2017, WARBE Development Foundation successfully organized a consultation on “Protection of Rights and Dignity of Women Migrant Workers” at Dhaka Reporter’s Unity from 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Before the consultation, WARBE also arranged a “Solidarity Human Chain to Protect Women Migrant’s Rights and Dignity” at in front of press club from 9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. At the inception of the consultation Chairman of WARBE Development Foundation, Syed Saiful Haque greeted everyone and thanked everyone for attending the consultation. After that Md. Faruque Ahmed, Secretary General, WARBE Development Foundation gave the address of Welcome. In his welcome note, he mentioned some crucial points regarding the rights and facilities of women labor migrant. He proposed the need of female dormitory in the countries where women migrate so that the migrated women do not have to stay and face any problem in their employer’s house. After the welcome note Ms. Jasiya Khatoon, Director, WARBE Development Foundation presented the key note of the consultation. In her key note speech she emphasized on the equal rights of men and women in their respective workplace. She pointed out the need of proper training for the trainers who train the migrant workers before their departure. She also brought up the issue of ratifying the ILO convention no 189 by the government. Among the participants of the consultation 5 female returnee migrant victims from Saudi Arab, Jordan, Lebanon who shared their stories with the audience. In open discussion session, Mr. Sirajul Haque, president, Bangladesh National Garments Workers Employees League (BNGWEL) talked about creating a global community on domestic worker’s right. Mr. Najmul Ahsan, Chairman, Bangladesh Ovibashi Adhikar Forum (BOAF) discussed about the initiative of getting two months of advance salary even before the departure of migrant workers and he also mentioned the need of providing security to the female migrant worker in their work agreement. Guest of Honor Ms. Rina Roy, Director, Manusher Jonno Foundation mentioned that Dalals or Middlemen crisis has to be eliminated for safe migration and also mentioned that government should look after the write ups if the agreement of the migrant workers. She put emphasis on the fact that all the NGOs who are working on this matter should stick together for a better outcome. At the same time she mentioned to work side by side with the government. Guest of Honor Ms. Shahina Ferdous, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment mentioned that she collected information from the consultation and she would bring up these issues to the right authority. She told that as the laws are different in the destination countries the government faces difficulties to protect the rights of migrant workers. She encouraged the returnee female migrants in the audience to create awareness among other interested people on the labor migration issue. She also encouraged the returnee female migrants by addressing them as assets of our nation. In the closing remarks Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE Development Foundation showed his appreciation to the participants for being presented in the consultation and thanked those persons who were behind working to organize the program. At the same time he recognized the contribution of the female migrant workers and asserted that the interested people who want to migrate for better opportunity should first have to get the correct information.

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

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.