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Europe-based Bangladeshi expatriates have presented a 15-point charter of demands, urging the government to ensure dignity, protection, and fair treatment for migrant workers.
The demands were presented at a press conference at the ERF auditorium in the capital on Saturday, jointly organised by Jatiya Tarun Sangha (JTS), Worldwide Kaaba Foundation, and Europe Expatriate Bangladeshi.
On behalf of Bangladeshi migrants in Europe, Syed Riaz said that Bangladesh received a record USD 30 billion in remittances during the last fiscal year, accounting for nearly 45 per cent of import payments and bolstering its foreign reserves.
“Migrants are the backbone of our economy, yet they face harassment, neglect, and bureaucratic hurdles at home and abroad. This cannot continue,” he said.
The charter calls for 24/7 embassy hotlines, tax-free facilities for expatriate investments, government-funded repatriation of deceased migrants, a special police unit for property protection, at least 5 per cent remittance incentives, health insurance for families, and inclusion in pension schemes.
Riaz urged the government to act swiftly: “Ignoring migrants’ rights is a betrayal of the nation. Their contributions have kept our economy afloat.”
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