TUCSAA Holds National Conference to Strengthen Migrant Workers’ Rights

The Trade Union-Civil Society Action Alliance (TUCSAA) has organized a national conference titled “Rights-Based Labour Migration Governance and Collective Advocacy” to ensure the rights and dignity of migrant workers. The conference was held on Thursday (August 13) at the Probashi Kallyan Bhaban in Dhaka.

Representatives from workers’ organizations, government and private agencies, policymakers, civil society and migrant rights groups discussed the current challenges and necessary reforms in labour migration.

During the “Voices of Migrants” session, Malaysia-returnee migrant Omar Faruk shared his workplace experience and sought government assistance in recovering unpaid wages. Beauty Khatun, who shared her experience of abuse in Saudi Arabia, called for the introduction of a dedicated hotline for migrant workers.

As the chief guest, MP Md. Nurul Haque could not attend. His representative, Joint Secretary Dr. ATM Mahbub-ul-Karim, said he hoped to strengthen rights-based policies and accountable governance in the overseas employment sector.

The conference also presented TUCSAA’s advocacy roadmap focusing on greater transparency and accountability in labour migration management and stronger protection for migrant workers’ rights.

TUCSAA was launched in November last year with support from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and funding from the Embassy of Switzerland. The alliance aims to protect the rights, safety and welfare of migrant workers and strengthen accountability across the labour migration system.