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Dhaka: Speakers at a “Press Café” have said there is no substitute for objective and investigative journalism in protecting the rights of migrant workers and ensuring their access to justice. Exposing the realities of fraud, exploitation, and abuse through the media not only raises public awareness but also compels the relevant authorities to take effective action, they said.
The event titled “Migration Rights and Access to Justice” was held on Monday (July 27) at the World Literature Center in the capital, bringing together media professionals. It was organized by the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association (BNWLA).
The program was conducted under the “Access to Justice” component of the second phase of the Strengthened and Informative Migration Systems (SIMS) project, funded by the Government of Switzerland and implemented with technical support from Helvetas Bangladesh. Similar initiatives are also being organized at the district level.
Delivering the welcome address, Morshed Bilal Khan, Director of BNWLA, highlighted the critical role of the media in helping migrant workers overcome legal challenges and gain access to justice. He said that investigative reporting is essential for exposing irregularities and structural weaknesses within the migration sector.
The project’s objectives and implementation framework were later presented by Rafatur Rahman Ruba, Project Manager of the SIMS project.
The Press Café brought together journalists from leading national media outlets, migration experts, and other stakeholders, who shared their field experiences and insights. Special sessions on raising public awareness, evidence-based and ethical journalism, and investigative reporting techniques were conducted by Md. Mohiuddin, Senior Reporter at Prothom Alo and a specialist in migration journalism, and Sajjid Ahmed, Safe Migration Coordinator of the SIMS project at Helvetas Bangladesh.
During the open discussion, speakers noted that migrant workers continue to face serious challenges both in their home country and in destination countries. They identified recruitment fraud by middlemen, workplace exploitation, and the lack of legal assistance as some of the most significant obstacles confronting migrant workers.
The experts expressed hope that consistent media coverage of these issues would help build greater accountability within the migration sector. Participants concluded that well-researched, investigative, and professional journalism can play a vital role in safeguarding the rights of migrant workers and improving their access to justice.