The DataSense research unit of iSocial has provided consultancy service for the development of action plan in implementing the agenda of the 8th FYP for the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment
Project timeline: May 2022 – June 2022
Partners:
- Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Employment (MoEWOE)
- Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Project objective:
Objective of the Eighth Five Year Plan – Action Plan for Paradigm Shift Agenda is to initiate and implement a transformative shift in Bangladesh’s overseas employment and remittance sector. This involves moving beyond existing challenges to achieve safer, more dignified labor migration and enhance the well-being of migrants and their families. The project aims to establish specific targets, activities, and timelines across ten strategic areas, ensuring coordinated efforts from all stakeholders and appropriate resource allocation to fundamentally restructure the sector.
Project outcome:
- Established a 10-Point Paradigm Shift Agenda: The project developed a comprehensive strategic agenda for overseas employment, covering institutional and legal reform, market expansion, skills development, access to services and finance, protection, digitization, private sector engagement, migration cost, and reintegration.
- Developed a Detailed Action Plan: A structured action plan was created with specific targets, baselines, progress updates, proposed activities, monitoring indicators, resource sources, and implementing partners for each agenda item.
- Initiated Institutional and Legal Reforms: Progress has been made in converting BMET to a full-fledged department, planning for integrated digital service management, and establishing research cells within relevant ministries.
- Advanced Skills Development Initiatives: Efforts are underway to establish new Technical Training Centers (TTCs), pursue international accreditation for skills, and upgrade occupational databases to align with international standards.
- Expanded Access to Services: Initiatives like the “One-Stop Service” at DEMO offices, the Ami Probashi App, Bangabandhu Wage Earners’ Center, and a Probash Bondhu Call Center have been introduced to provide comprehensive support to migrants.
- Improved Financial Access and Insurance Coverage: Work is in progress to implement digital banking for PKB and increase the coverage and duration of migrant worker insurance services.
- Strengthened Protection and Rights Frameworks: Projects like RAISE are being implemented to strengthen welfare offices, and mandatory insurance coverage and compensation for deceased migrants are in place.
- Enhanced Digitization of Migration Processes: Various digital systems such as ReMIMIS, RAIMS, and e-payment systems have been implemented, with further plans to fully digitize the migration process.
- Fostered Private Sector and Stakeholder Engagement: Steps are being taken to revise the OEMA 2013 and engage private organizations for sending skilled migrant workers.
- Addressed Migration Costs and Reintegration: A baseline survey on migration costs has been conducted, and technical committees have been formed to draft sustainable reintegration policies and rules for the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board.
Locations the project served: Nationwide – impacting the entire overseas employment and remittance sector. Its scope covers institutional and legal reforms, market expansion, skills development, and service provision, all of which have implications across the country for aspiring migrants, returning migrants, and their families. The project also implicitly influences Bangladesh’s engagement with international destination countries by promoting “overseas employment diplomacy” and aiming for new international accreditations and bilateral agreements.
Impact:
- Accelerated Economic Growth and Employment: By focusing on overseas employment, the project aims to leverage Bangladesh’s demographic dividend, contributing significantly to GDP, foreign exchange earnings, and addressing underemployment.
- Improved Macroeconomic and Social Stability: A successful paradigm shift in the migration sector is expected to enhance overall economic stability and alleviate social pressures related to unemployment.
- Enhanced Welfare and Dignity of Migrants: Through comprehensive reforms and service improvements, the project seeks to ensure safer, more dignified employment conditions and better well-being for Bangladeshi migrants.
- Greater Accountability and Transparency: The focus on institutional and legal reforms, including the revision of the OEMA 2013 and better monitoring of recruitment agents, is intended to increase accountability and transparency in the migration process.
- Increased Skilled Migration and Remittance Inflow: By expanding market opportunities and investing in skills development, the project aims to increase the number of skilled workers migrating and boost remittance volumes to USD 30 billion annually.
- Better Access to Justice and Support: Expanded grievance management systems, digital services, and improved legal aid mechanisms will provide migrants with greater access to support and redress.
- Sustainable Reintegration of Returnees: The development of reintegration policies and support packages is expected to facilitate the smooth and productive return of migrants, contributing to their long-term well-being.
Report Link: