European Commission’s Director for Migration and Asylum Michael Shotter urged Bangladesh to work on “significant numbers” of illegal Bangladeshi migrants entering EU countries.
Michael Shotter expressed his concern at a meeting with Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury at the Secretariat on Wednesday, a Home Ministry press release read.
“Internal political pressure against migration is steadily increasing within EU member states,” said Michael Shotter.
Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury reiterated Bangladesh’s zero-tolerance policy against human trafficking, stressing that the country is addressing irregular migration and trafficking with utmost importance.
“Several members of trafficking syndicates have already been brought under the law, and necessary amendments to anti-trafficking legislation are underway,” said the home adviser.
Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said that a significant portion of Bangladesh’s workforce is employed in the EU, adding that Bangladesh is always striving to send skilled and semi-skilled workers through legal channels.
He requested the director to consider employing skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled workers from Bangladesh.
The home adviser added that Bangladesh expects EU cooperation in strengthening border security and preventing irregular migration, with Shotter assuring the home adviser of working together in this regard.
Shotter also advised on reforms in law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, in the context of the country’s recent political transition, said the press release.
