DHAKA: Thailand commends Bangladesh for efficient management of large number of migrant workers globally, said Thailand’s labor minister General Sirichai Distakul during a bilateral meeting in Bangkok on 17 November with Bangladesh expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister Nurul Islam B.Sc.
The expatriates’ welfare minister is on a three-day official visit to Thailand to resume talks about bilateral labor migration cooperation with Thailand following the appointment of a new labor minister in the Thai cabinet.
Praising Bangladesh for a highly secured digitalized overseas recruitment system the Thai labor minister appraised the Bangladesh minister of the huge challenge Thailand is currently facing with registration and legalization of more than 3 million undocumented migrant workers from Thailand’s four neighboring ASEAN countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
The two ministers agreed that the proposed joint working group between Bangladesh and Thailand would meet for the first time and exchange of information regarding demand and capabilities.
Bangladesh minister invited delegation from Thailand for the first-hand experience about the Bangladeshi security system and migrant workers’ training facilities.
Earlier, the expatriates’ welfare minister held a meeting with General Singsuk Singpai, chairman of Thailand’s National Legislative Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Labor at the Parliament House.
The high level representatives of Thailand were also present in the meeting.
The Thai side was briefed on various measures undertaken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government for legal and safe recruitment of Bangladeshi workers including the establishment of a fully digitalized 3-tier registration and verification system for aspirant migrant workers.
In response to a security concern by members of the committee representing Thai private sector regarding potential illegal migrants, Bangladesh minister assured that his country has introduced the MRPs, 3-tier screening and verification system, background check and biometric smart card and that no Bangladeshi worker can possibly be exploited or fall illegal in Thailand.
The minister invited a delegation from the Parliamentary Standing Committee to visit Bangladesh to a familiarization tour of overseas migration recruitment process of the ministry.
Praising Bangladeshi people for honesty and good nature, the chair of the committee from the industry opined that following the regularization of unregistered ASEAN workers of Thailand, the relevant Thai industry including fishing sector would reassess the labor market demands.
A fresh assessment would consider Bangladesh a potential country for labor recruitment.
The chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee also assured full support for recruitment of Bangladesh labor in Thailand.
BDST: 2047 HRS, Nov 17, 2015
RR/SMS
