State Minister Shama Obaed Islam urged district officials to curb illegal migration, protect workers from traffickers and strengthen local responses to growing climate risks across Bangladesh.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Tuesday called for stronger district-level measures to curb illegal migration, protect expatriate workers from trafficking networks and improve local responses to climate change impacts across Bangladesh.
Speaking to reporters after attending the District Commissioners’ Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, Shama said the government had issued specific instructions to district administrators to prevent illegal migration and shield migrant workers from fraudulent recruiting syndicates and human traffickers operating abroad.
She said district commissioners had been asked to take a proactive role in raising awareness at the local level and strengthening monitoring efforts so that aspiring migrant workers are not deceived by broker networks.
The state minister said district administrations were also directed to activate vocational training centres nationwide to strengthen skills development and create safer and more sustainable overseas employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers.
Climate change and its growing effects in different parts of the country also featured prominently in the discussions at the conference, she said, with an emphasis on enhancing the role of local administrations in addressing climate-related risks and protecting vulnerable communities.
Replying to a question on regional diplomacy, Shama said India’s election was an internal matter for India and that bilateral relations between the two neighbours would continue to be guided by Bangladesh’s own foreign policy priorities.
“India’s election is India’s internal issue. Bangladesh’s foreign relations with all countries, including India, will be conducted based on Bangladesh’s national policy and interests,” she said.
