Pre-Budget Discussion on Migrant Workers’ Perspective

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

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.

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.