Capacity Building Workshop on Networks Partners, 2016

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.

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.

23 October, 2016

Bangladesh Ovibashi Adhikar Forum (BOAF) and Chandradip Development Society (CDS) organized a Divisional Consultation on GFMD and Divisional Migrants Rights Network Conference, Supported by DanChurchAid and WARBE Development Foundation under the banner of Bangladesh Civil Society Coordination Committee (BCSCC) on 28 August 2016, DC Office Auditorium, Barisal. Objective of this conference and consultation in Barisal was to mobilize civil societies for PGA and upcoming Dhaka GFMD. Meanwhile, it also share the preparation of government and line ministry for the international summit for the welfare of migrant workers. In this consultation a district forum was also formed along with the NGOs and civil society network members of BOAF who were from different district like: Barisal, Jhalokathi, Potuakhali, Borguna, Pirojpur and Bhola. Advocate Talukder Md. Yunus, Honorable Member of Parliament, Barisal – 2 was the Chief Guest and Dr. Gazi Md. Saifuzzaman, Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Barisal was the Guest of Honor of this consultation. Mr. Aminul Hoque Tushar, Consultant of WARBE DF highlights the background of GFMD & PGA activities. Ms. Jahanara Begum Shapna, ED, Chandradip Development Society presented the key note paper of the program. Md. Nazmul Ahsan, Chairman, BOAF and Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE DF also discussed on the roles of Civil society to make the event successful one.

05 October, 2016

Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), WARBE Development Foundation and RMMRU organized 3 days training ( Module 1) of the Diplomacy Training Program (DTP)WARBE is a Ngo with UN ECOSOC consultative status, promoting the rights of migrant workers and provides the detail information regarding migration information. RMMRU is a research, training and advocacy institution conducting studies on the rights of the migrant workers. Its aim to develop the knowledge and skills of civil society NGO advocates in Bangladesh that are committed to promoting respect for the human rights of the migrant workers and their rights as migrants in Bangladesh & the destination countries. It also aware the migrant workers about the security & safety of the migration related issues. Objectives of the training To enhance the knowledge of human rights standard regarding migrants works. To broaden the minds of the participants by providing them opportunities for interchange of experiences. To enhance the legal and policy framework governing labor migration in Bangladesh. To enhance skills and developing strategies to advocate for better protection of migration. To create strong communication skills. To gather information about the GFMD process.

07 September, 2016

On the morning of 18th March 2015, there was a scheduled national seminar event, on the subject of “Protection of the Rights of Migrant Domestic Workers: Importance of Ratification of ILO Convention 189.” This seminar was organised by WARBE Development Foundation, with support from AWO International e.V. It was hosted by and held at the National Press Club, in Dhaka. Featuring various guest speakers, and covering a broad range of focal points regarding the topic at hand, the seminar offered an extensive insight into the facilitation and appropriate handling of the matter of the protection of women migrant workers’ rights and a general upholding of their basic rights and dignity. Among the speakers, notably, was Mr. Israfil Alam, MP, as the Chief Guest, and Guest Speakers including, Ms. Nurjahan Begum Mukta, MP, Ms. Nisha, Chief Technical Adviser of ILO, Mr. Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, Assistant Executive Director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, Mr. Abul Hossain, National Domestic Workers Association , Mr. Faruque Ahmed, Secretary General of WARBE DF, Ms. Jasiya Khatoon, Director of WARBE DF and Mr. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE DF, who also played a role as a moderator in the event. The event started out with the experience sharing of 2 returnee women domestic workers from KSA who were involved in domestic services for over a year. The experiences revealed that the primary barrier to communication is the difference in language. Further, the workers believed that they have been deprived of their rights due to the communication gap through not receiving the desired salary and quite frequently, they had to work longer than expected hours and without the weekend off. The main topic of conversation within the field of discussion was centred on the involvement of the above mentioned organisations within the particular context of Women Migrant Workers in and as such in regards to recruitment within the region of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The general points covered in the conference included topics such as: 1) to keep the information of agreement as transparent and coherent as possible between BAIRA and SENARCOM (a KSA based recruiting agency). 2) The Provision of building shelter homes in support of the Women Migrant Workers, on behalf of the Bangladesh Embassy situated thereof. 3) Further there was discussion of the need and abilities to equip the sector with legal preparations and appoint lawyers to fight cases within the KSA region. 4) A greater potency was insinuated in the case of Workers’ salary and benefit. 6) Lastly, the conference addressed the need for purposely and effectively enhancing the facilities at district level technical training institute, in relation to the field of work provided to the Workers. Such areas as methodology, technical, socioeconomic and financial terms and conditions were discussed, to further elaborate and mediate on the process of developing the above mentioned areas of interest. The hopes of addressing the incumbent issues and probable solutions for such possibilities were also discussed in depth and further headway was made in this direction. QUOTES FROM THE GUEST SPEAKERS: “The convention 189 speaks of fundamental rights of domestic workers and to protect themselves from any form of violence or torture within the territory of a certain house” – Ms. Jasiya Khatoon, Director, WARBE Development Foundation. “We are not proud sending women to work and earn for the country and their families because the tasks they perform abroad are laborious and not pertaining to any form of intellectual practices” – Mr. Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, Assistant Executive Director, Bangladesh Institutes of Labour Studies. “Migrant rights and civil society organisations need to increase accountability for ratification of Convention 189 because the convention itself is revolutionary and helps to merge supply of domestic workers with International Labour demand.” – Ms. Nisha, Chief Technical Adviser, ILO “We need to strengthen our negotiations with the Government to ensure rights of domestic workers are earned and protected both at home and abroad. If necessary, we are ready to show common people how deprived women domestic workers are through a mass rally which will be a very large demonstration” – Mr. Abul Hossain, National Domestic Workers Association “Social norms must be changed and adopt new ones that will manifest equal rights and honour towards the women domestic workers; otherwise, the general point of view towards them shall remain derogatory” – Mr. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE Development Foundation. “We endorse for transparency by the government and the agreement made between BAIRA and SENARCOM be made public” – Mr. Md. Faruque Ahmed, Secretary General, WARBE Development Foundation “If the government could take initiatives and led campaigns to improve livelihoods and services of domestic workers before, then, of course, our government c