“Enhancing social protection for Bangladeshi Migrants”

International Organization for Migration (IOM) and World Bank Workshop on

“Enhancing social protection for Bangladeshi Migrants”

Speech for WB Country Director, Closing Session

15 November 2007

·      Distinguished Director General, Bureau of Employment, Manpower and Training,

·      Distinguished Resident Representative, International Organization for Migration,

·      Respected participants, colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

I am honored to welcome you to the concluding session of this joint IOM – World Bank workshop on the important issue of “Enhancing the Social Protection of Bangladeshi Migrants.”

As we all know, migration for work is a vital option for many Bangladeshis to overcome poverty and develop a sustainable livelihood for themselves and their families. Yet, migration is an endeavor that is full of perils and uncertainties. Migrants are disadvantaged in two respects: they face more risks and have fewer resources to deal with these risks. This is where social protection comes into play by helping this vulnerable people to better manage their risks.

In the context of international migration, the great challenge we are faced with is how to govern such a globalized labor market and provide for the social protection of its workers who are subject to different national policies for labor markets and social protection.

Apparently, the main responsibility for safe migration lies with the host country of migrant workers.

Yet, home countries also have a responsibility to provide for the protection of their citizens while overseas –even more so if the situation in the host country does not allow for the proper protection of migrant populations.

First, the home country has a responsibility to provide information to potential migrants about the real costs, benefits, and risks of migration. Many ignore the significant risks of migration with regard to working conditions, exploitation, abuse, and human trafficking. Second, host countries have a responsibility to regulate the recruitment industry and to enforce these regulations. Given the gap of information just described, recruiters and middlemen find it easy to deceive migrants and, in turn, they extract significant profits from brokering exploitative work arrangements.

Third, home countries have a responsibility to provide adequate pre-departure orientation to migrants before they leave the country. Migrants need to know about their human and social rights, what to do in cases of abuse and exploitation, and where to go in case of emergency. Finally, home countries have to provide support to their citizens living abroad. This means ensuring that there is an adequate infrastructure of embassies and consulates in place that can respond to the needs of its migrant population overseas.

International organizations like the World Bank and IOM have a responsibility to provide for the protection of migrants worldwide. We can do this by carrying out research on international migration, by lobbying for cooperation between countries to improve the governance of the global labor market, and by providing guidance on best practices on how to manage international migration.

I am confident that the proceedings of this workshop will make an important contribution to enhance the social protection of Bangladeshi migrant workers.

Let me conclude by thanking the Government of Japan for its financial support for this workshop. I would also like to thank the teams of IOM and the Bank for organizing the workshop.

In particular, I’d like to thank you, the participants, for your contributions of time, ideas and attention to this set of very important issues for the benefit of Bangladeshis and of humanity overall.

Thank you.