Call for Skills Development and New Destination Exploration at DIU Seminar on Changing Labour Markets

A seminar was held in the capital to discuss the future of Bangladesh’s overseas employment sector amid changing global migration policies and the growing demand for skilled manpower worldwide.

The seminar titled “Migration in an Age of Closing Doors: Skills, Destination Diversification, and the Future of Overseas Employment in Bangladesh” was organized on Saturday at the CIRDAP Auditorium by the Center for Migration, Refugee and Displacement (CMRD) of Dhaka International University (DIU).

The event was attended as the chief guest by ABM Mosharraf Hossain, MP, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Caucus on Migration and Development. The keynote paper was presented by Professor Dr. AKM Ahsan Ullah of the University of Brunei Darussalam.

The seminar was chaired by Professor Dr. Md. Shariful Alam, Director of CMRD, while Taifur Rahman moderated the session. The chief patron of the event was Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary, Chairman of the DIU Board of Trustees.

In his speech, ABM Mosharraf Hossain said Bangladesh needs to focus on developing skilled manpower, exploring new employment markets and ensuring safe migration to keep pace with the rapidly changing global labour market.

Professor Dr. AKM Ahsan Ullah emphasized reducing dependency on traditional labour markets and adopting strategies to send skilled workers to new destination countries. He also highlighted the importance of developing human resources according to the changing demands of the international job market.

Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary said research-based policymaking is essential to expand overseas employment opportunities and ensure the welfare of migrant workers. He added that DIU is committed to contributing to national development through research and knowledge-based initiatives.

In his presidential remarks, Professor Dr. Md. Shariful Alam stressed the need for stronger research, policy dialogue and institutional cooperation to make migration management more effective.

The seminar discussed various issues including skill development, access to new labour markets, protection of migrant workers’ rights, safety of women migrants, rehabilitation measures, and ensuring safe, orderly and regular migration.

Representatives from national and international organizations, university teachers, researchers, students and journalists participated in the seminar. The speakers expressed hope that the recommendations from the event would help expand Bangladesh’s overseas employment opportunities.