Bangladesh, Sweden discuss curbing irregular migration
Dhaka: Bangladesh and Sweden have discussed strengthening cooperation to prevent irregular migration, with Dhaka stressing the need to tackle human trafficking networks that lure people with promises of better lives abroad.
The issue came up during a meeting between Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Nicolas Linus Ragnar Weeks held at the Home Ministry in the capital on August 11.
The Swedish ambassador expressed concern over irregular migration to Sweden, saying some Bangladeshis are falling victim to traffickers who entice people with false promises, read a press release from the ministry.
In response, the home minister said the government was taking strict and effective measures to prevent human trafficking.
He identified aspirations for a better life and the deceptive promises of traffickers as major drivers of irregular migration and said the government was conducting awareness campaigns across the country in coordination with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The two sides also discussed security cooperation, expanding trade, technical education and assistance, skilled manpower development, and a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis.
The minister said Bangladesh was giving priority to modernizing technical education to produce skilled, globally competitive workers. He sought closer cooperation from Sweden in improving technical training and facilitating the migration of skilled Bangladeshi workers to European markets, where demand for caregivers and other skilled workers is rising.
The Swedish ambassador said around 10,000 Bangladeshis currently live in Sweden, a large proportion of whom are students.
Weeks said Sweden has a bilateral cooperation strategy with Bangladesh, the only such strategy Sweden maintains with a South Asian country. He also highlighted growing commercial ties between the two countries and increasing Swedish investment in sectors including ready-made garments and healthcare.
On the Rohingya crisis, the home minister said the prolonged displacement of Rohingyas poses a major security threat to the region. He urged Sweden, as co-chair of the Rohingya Donor Group, to play a stronger role in keeping the crisis on the international agenda and increasing support for displaced Rohingyas.
The Swedish ambassador emphasized the need for the safe repatriation and rehabilitation of the Rohingyas and expressed Sweden's interest in supporting education and overall protection for Rohingya women and children.
