International Migrants Day today

International Migrants Day 2016 will be observed in the country on Sunday like elsewhere in the globe.

On December 4 in 2000, the UN General Assembly, taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world, proclaimed December 18 as the International Migrants Day.

On that day in 1990, the UN assembly adopted the International Convention on the protection of the rights of all migrant workers and members of their families.

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave separate messages on the eve of the day.

The president, in his message, wished success of observing the day and suggested the authorities concerned to make easier the migration process so more people can get job overseas.

The prime minister in her message said the government had taken several steps to help expand the manpower market in different countries.

She said the Bangladeshi people working abroad are now getting better services due to digitisation of the overseas employment process.

The premier said that the Ministry of Expatriates` Welfare and Overseas Employment would be more active in creating newer job markets for exporting skilled manpower.

She also called the expatriate Bangladeshis to work with sincerity and honesty to earn a good name for their country.

Addressing a press conference in the city today, the Expatriates` Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam said currently, over 10 million Bangladeshis are working in 161 countries across the world.

Briefing journalists on the day, he said this year the day would be observed under the slogan - `Migrants First in the Highway of Development`.

The day will began with bringing out a rally in the capital city from the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad at 9:30am. Following the rally, a discussion meeting will be held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) where ministers, policymakers, experts and other stakeholders will participate.

As part of the day`s programme, a shadow parliament debate contest and an easy and a art competition will also be held at the BICC.

Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith is expected to present the shadow parliament debate contest as the chief guest, while Prime Minister`s economic affairs advisor Dr Mashiur Rahman, expatriate welfare and overseas employment ministry`s secretary Begum Shamsun Nahar and United Commercial bank`s chairman MA Sabur as special guests.

According to new data presented by the United Nations, the number of international migrants - persons living in a country other than where they were born - reached 244 million in 2015 for the world as a whole, a 41 per cent increase compared to 2000. This figure includes almost 20 million refugees. The share of migrants in the global population reached 3.3 per cent in 2015, up from 2.8 per cent in 2000.

The UN Secretary-General`s Message for 2016 said this has been another turbulent year for refugees and migrants. We have witnessed the unacceptable loss of thousands of lives of people in transit in the Mediterranean and elsewhere and witnessed the rise of populist movements that seek to alienate and expel migrants and refugees, and to blame them for various ills of society.

"On this International Migrants Day, I call on the international community to act on the global compact on safe, regular and orderly migration as an important contribution to building a world of peace, prosperity, dignity and opportunity for all." UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon said.

Source: BSS