Shama Obaed urges IOM to expand cooperation on safe and legal migration

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called for stronger cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to promote safe, orderly and regular migration, stressing the need to better protect migrant workers and align Bangladesh's workforce with evolving global labour market demands.

The call came during a meeting with IOM Deputy Director General for Operations Ugochi Daniels at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (August 3), according to an official statement.

The meeting was also attended by IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Iori Kato, special adviser Priya Marwah, and senior officials from the ministry.

During the discussions, the state minister underscored the importance of expanding regular migration pathways, ensuring ethical recruitment practices and equipping prospective migrant workers with skills that match international labour market requirements.

She sought greater IOM support in building skills-based partnerships with destination countries, particularly in the healthcare, caregiving and agricultural sectors, while also calling for enhanced awareness programmes to strengthen the protection of women migrant workers.

Reaffirming Bangladesh's commitment as a Champion Country of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM), Shama Obaed said the country's national GCM action plan would serve as a comprehensive framework for implementing the compact's objectives.

She also commended the IOM's continued support in facilitating the safe return of stranded Bangladeshi nationals from crisis-hit regions and its humanitarian assistance for forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals. At the same time, she urged the international community to help create conditions conducive to their safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation.

In response, Daniels praised Bangladesh's initiatives in migration governance and acknowledged the country's growing leadership role in advancing global migration issues.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening Bangladesh-IOM cooperation to strengthen migrant protection and advance the country's broader humanitarian and migration priorities.

Shama Obaed said that expanding opportunities for regular migration, preventing irregular migration, ensuring ethical recruitment practices, and enhancing the skills of prospective migrant workers in line with the evolving demands of the global labour market are now urgent priorities. She underscored the importance of strengthening international cooperation to achieve these objectives.

She particularly called for facilitating "Talent Partnerships" with destination countries in sectors such as healthcare, caregiving, and agriculture. She also sought the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in promoting skills-based labour mobility to better connect Bangladesh's skilled workforce with global labour markets.

Emphasising the need to protect the rights and welfare of migrant workers, especially women, Shama Obaed highlighted the importance of increasing public awareness and strengthening support services for migrants.

Expressing appreciation to the IOM for its assistance in the safe repatriation of stranded Bangladeshi nationals from crisis-affected countries, she said the organisation's continued support is essential in ensuring safe return, sustainable reintegration, addressing climate-induced migration, and combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

She also commended the IOM for its humanitarian assistance to forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals and urged the international community to help create conditions conducive to their safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable repatriation.

Daniels praised Bangladesh's initiatives to establish a sustainable migration management system and highly commended the country's leadership role in promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration at the global level.

During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation between Bangladesh and the IOM to advance safe, orderly, and regular migration, protect the rights of migrants, and implement shared migration and humanitarian priorities.