Ariful Huq Chowdhury, the minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, as well as Labour and Employment, has instructed officials to prepare a priority list of tasks to be completed within the next six months to meet public expectations.
Speaking on his first day at the ministry on Thursday following his swearing-in, the minister emphasised that the public is keen to see the new government’s performance during this initial period. He called for a “spirit of innovation” and urged officials to work with “speed and agility.”
“Our first priority is to work as a team,” the minister stated, adding that he intends to meet individually with responsible officials from each department. He further directed the ministry to prepare a specific plan for implementing the government’s election manifesto.
Minister Chowdhury requested a comprehensive and specific list of expatriates who have received assistance to date. This list must include details on which countries they returned from, their home districts in Bangladesh, and the specific nature of the support provided.
Furthermore, he ordered a formal report regarding international labour markets that are currently closed. He directed officials to detail the reasons for these closures, the steps already taken to reopen them, and what immediate actions are required if no progress has been made.
Coordination and migration Costs
Highlighting that 60%-70% of the population in his own constituency are employed abroad, the Minister stressed the need for better coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant ministries to expedite the ministry’s work.
Newly appointed State Minister Md Nurul Huq also attended the introductory meeting, sharing his prior experience in working with expatriates.
He underscored the necessity of reducing migration costs at any expense and urged officials to treat expatriates with sincerity and kindness, noting that many sell family land and jewellery to seek employment abroad.
The state minister advocated for encouraging expatriates to use legal channels for remittances. He suggested that support and help desks at airports should be more welcoming and proactive.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing the country through honesty and sincerity, calling upon officials to act as partners in this mission.
The meeting was attended by Senior Secretary Dr Neamat Ullah Bhuiya and other top officials from various departments and agencies under the ministry.
