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The government and five UN agencies have launched a 30-month joint programme to strengthen reintegration and social support for Bangladeshi migrants and returnees, particularly vulnerable women, children and crisis-affected migrants.
The initiative brings together the International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).
Supported by the UN Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF), the programme aims to strengthen social protection mechanisms and promote social inclusion, enabling migrants and returnees to rebuild their lives with dignity and access essential services.
The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) will implement the programme as the lead government ministry.
The agreement was signed on Thursday by Economic Relations Division (ERD) Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky and IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh Dr Laura Tomm Bonde.
ERD Additional Secretary and Chief of the UN Wing A K M Sohel, MoEWOE Additional Secretary Md Saiful Haque Chowdhury and Joint Secretary of the ERD UN Wing Dr Kazi Shahjahan attended the signing ceremony, along with representatives of the participating UN agencies and other government institutions.
Dr Laura Tomm Bonde said migration was not a linear process and returning home should mark the beginning of sustainable recovery for people in need, says a press release.
“Sustainable reintegration requires enhanced support on the individual, community and structural levels,” she said, adding that the joint programme would bring together UN expertise to support the government in building a coordinated, migrant-centred reintegration system.
Shahriar Kader Siddiky said returnees and their families needed services, opportunities and systems to help them rebuild their lives and contribute to their communities.
“This partnership will help strengthen that support through coordinated action by the government and UN agencies,” he said.
According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), more than 13 million Bangladeshis have travelled abroad for work since 2004, including over one million women.
Many returnees face difficulties securing employment, accessing essential services and coping with the psychological impact of their migration experiences. The challenges are particularly acute for those who return suddenly or following a crisis.
Under the joint programme, government institutions and gender-responsive civil society organisations will identify vulnerable returnees and connect them with appropriate reintegration services.
Key interventions will include tailored reintegration plans, capacity building for service providers and pilot programmes on labour market integration, financial literacy, psychosocial support and community outreach.
The programme will also address discriminatory social norms and strengthen coordination at the district level.
The initiative supports Bangladesh’s national objectives on return and reintegration, as well as Objective 21 of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, which focuses on dignified return and sustainable reintegration.
It also contributes to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality, Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth, and Goal 10 on reduced inequalities.