Consultation on Protection of Migrants Rights on Human Rights Day, 2015

06 September, 2016

We, the representatives of Winrock International, USAID Bangladesh, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Plan International Bangladesh, Dhaka Ahsania Mission, Rights Jessore , SHISUK, Change Maker, BRAC, WARBE Development Foundation, Bangladeshi Ovhibashi Mohila Sramik Association (BOMSA), ANIRBAN, Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights (BSEHR) and BONGO BD, gathered in Dhaka on 30 July 2015. We recognize and are grateful for the leadership of the Government of Bangladesh in efforts to combat trafficking in persons, such as: – The launch of the National Plan of Action for Combating Human Trafficking 2015-2017. – Enactment of the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act, 2012. – Enactment of the Overseas Employment, Migration Act, 2013. Finally, we state together that trafficking in persons is the most heinous of offences that can be committed against a person, it victimizes people, stripes away dignity, removes a person’s self-determination and places victims in great peril. We say as one that trafficking in persons must be stopped, our collective efforts to stop trafficking in persons will continue and we will act as one to pursue justice and dignity for all.

05 September, 2016

WARBE Development Foundation, RMMRU, Manusher Jonno Foundation, and AWO jointly organized a “National Civil Society Consultation on 8th GFMD 2015” The objective of this National Civil Society Consultation is to introduce and highlight the Civil Society Days activities in the GFMD meeting as well as the thematic plenary and roundtable discussions to the participants from key migration and development organizations, networks, grassroots and community based organizations, migrants’ rights advocates, trade unions, private sector, representatives of the media and academia along with officials from the relevant government ministries for jointly strategize efforts relating to the GFMD 2015. Many journalists, NGO professionals, Government high-ups, and other important persons from different sectors attended in this day long civil society consultation program. The entire program was divided into four sessions which were moderated by different people. The sessions were: The Inaugural Session, Parallel Group Working Session on Thematic Roundtable, Reports of Group Working Session, and Concluding Session: Way Forward.

08 July, 2016

WARBE Development Foundation and recruiting agency BAIRA jointly arranged a consultation on safe migration with private Sector and Stakeholders. WARBE and BAIRA personnel, and some other distinguished personalities from ministry and secretariat level, NGO and civil society participated and shared their valuable opinion regarding the issue. The key Objectives for organizing this consultation were: To discuss on safe migration process, regular channels and reducing migration cost. To understand the present socio-demographic and economic situation of migrant communities. To discuss about the ‘Overseas Employment & Migration Act, 2013’ – its barriers in implementation process and the possible realistic way-out. To discuss on the role of private sectors for achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs). Mr. Faruque ahmed, Secretary General, WARBE Development Foundation began the meeting with his welcome speech. He expresses his thankfulness to BAIRA for cooperating in holding this meeting. Mrs. Jasiya Khatoon, Director, WARBE Development Foundation presented a key note presentation on WARBE DF and an overview of global migration scenario in 2015. Nurul Amin, member of BAIRA– spoke on irregular migration, mass grave which were found in Malaysia. He also talks on G2G, zero cost on migration. Sarowat Binte Islam, Program Manager, MJF- talked on Technical Training Center (TTC), cost of TTC training in private/Govt. sector. Sultana Adnan, Director of Migration Project, Agrani Bank – She discuss about remittance and for sending remittance the migrant workers are to pay high rate of interest which should be reduced for smoothening the process. He also says a2i could be involved at union level training. Md. Rabiul Islam, Online Media- wants to know about the cost for receiving clearance from BMET. Mr. Jabed Ahmed, Additional Secretary, MoEWOE- discussed on issues. He says- middle men are needed but also they must be under control, there are 47 TTCs but they are not up to the mark. Nurjahan Begum Mukta, Member of National Parliament was the Chief Guest in this consultation. She refers to many points. She says that victims should be more aware and human trafficking law should be strictly enforced. She added further in every district government is trying to provide land for migrants and trying to increase quota for migrants and in P.S.C and J.S.C there is provision for scholarship for migrants’ children. After her speech Annual Migration Report-2015, prepared by WARBE DF was launched.

25 November, 2012

To observe the “International Day for the Elimination of the Violence against Women” WARBE Development Foundation organized a media campaign on “Problems of Domestic Workers and protect the Rights and Dignity – to ratify and implementation of ILO Convention 189” held on 25 November 2012 at Conference Room of National press club. Ms. Sumaiya Islam, Project Director of BOMSA was special discussant of this program. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE D F was moderator of the seminar where Mr. Abdul Awal, Project Coordinator of WARBE DF presented a key note paper.

04 November, 2012

A consultation discussion program involving various stakeholders organized by Migrants Forum in Asia (MFA) partners in Bangladesh (WARBE DF, RMMRU, ASK & ACD) and the Solidarity Centre was held at the BRAC Center Inn, Dhaka, Bangladesh on November 4-5, 2012. The main objective of the program was to advance the campaign for the ratification of the ILO Convention 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers and promote recognition of the human rights and labor rights of domestic workers in Bangladesh through cooperation among stakeholders. Well-recognized personalities from various institutions attended the two-day consultation program and opined and recommended numerous options to further the objective. The inaugural session was chaired by Dr. Wajedul Islam, Bangladesh Trade Union Centre and welcome remarks were made by Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE Development Foundation and Mr. Allonzo Suson, Solidarity Center and Mr. Jeffrey Scarry from USAID, Bangladesh was present as the Guest of Honor. Followed by the exercise, the closing session of the two-day multi-stakeholder conference was held. The session was chaired by Dr, C. R. Abrar- Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit. A number of renowned personalities attended the session. Mr. Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, BILS/ Domestic Workers Rights Network summarized the previous session of the consultation where Wazedul Islam Khan, Trade Union Organization, Ms. Nisha, International Labor Organization, Ms. Shaheen Anam, Manusher Jonno Foundation were present as the special guest and Mr. Md. Israfil Alam, MP-Chairman of Standing Parliamentary Committee on Ministry of Labor and Employment Bangladesh Parliament was present as a chief guest of the program. A number of the suggestions that came out of the group discussions are listed below: Must ensure discrimination free environment for both male and female workers; Include clauses or articles that will ensure rights and opportunities of migrant domestic workers; Education should be made mandatory as articulated in the ILO convention; Government should initiate awareness raising programs; Appointing child as a domestic worker should be a punishable offense. However, keeping the socioeconomic context of Bangladesh, if appointed, child domestic workers(below 14 years of age) should enjoy access to education and proper recreation to support his/her mental and physical growth; Domestic workers’ age of retirement should not exceed 60 years; Ensure security insurance, social security, provident fund and economic security for every domestic workers; Along with labor and employment ministry, foreign ministry, expatriate, education, women and child ministry and social welfare ministry should be designated with proper authority as implementation ministry; Accumulation of ILO Convention 87 and Convention 98 and regulations for implementation of these conventions.

09 October, 2012

The UN General Assembly hosted the first High-level Dialogue on International Migration and Development on 14 to 15 September 2006 in New York, USA. The objective of the forum was to maximize development benefits of migration. And it was decided that a second Dialogue should be held in September 2013. The second Dialogue will focus on the progress that has been made since the inaugural event while also highlighting new and continuing challenges governments are facing. Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA) partners in Bangladesh (WARBE DF, RMMRU, ASK & ACD) has organized a roundtable consultation on “The 2nd UN High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development, 2013” at the CIRDAP Auditorium, Dhaka from 08 to 09 October 2012. The objective of this consultation is to bring together key migration and development organizations, networks, grassroots and community based organizations, migrants’ rights advocates, trade unions, representatives of the media and academia along with relevant government ministries to coordinate and jointly strategize efforts relating to the 2nd UN High Level Dialogue on Migration and Development in 2013. Discussion has been participating by the representative from GOs, different NGOs, Private Sector, Trade Union, and Migrants Associations, also individual migrants and representative of International Organizations & UN agencies.