Migration Forum:

district level. Support seeking migrants and their family members get necessary information and counselling service through these SMFCs.

Migration Forum:

It is formed at field level to meet the demand of support seeking migrants and their family members. Migration forum is comprised of migrants’ family members, returnee migrants, local youths, volunteers, public representatives and social workers. It creates an enabling environment for the support seeking migrants by establishing referral, linkage and counselling services. The forum also engages in social arbitration for money recovery and claims penalty for the deceived migrants. It also distributes information and leaflets at field level to raise awareness about the importance of safe migration. Forum members meet quarterly to discuss about new law and regulation of migration and disseminate information in this regard.

Returnee Migration Forum: 

It is comprised of returnee migrants. The forum discuss about gainful utilisation of experience, skills and remittance of an expatriate. It also provides counselling and training in regards to Income Generating Activities (IGA) and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME).

Migration Community Volunteer (MCV): 

A community-based volunteers’ pool of 1500 personnel is created in 122 Upazila through providing capacity development trainings and orientations on safe migration process. Upon successful training completion volunteers arrange and conduct issue based courtyard meetings. MCVs distribute leaflets, brochures, pamphlet to raise awareness about safe migration. They also provide counselling services to support seeking migrants. Besides, MCVs assist potential migrants and their family members in migration process by creating referral linkages with different Government Organisations (GO) and Non- Government Organisations (NGO).

Wage Earner’s Welfare Fund

Banks are the only reliable medium to send money from abroad. The migrants should contact the Bangladeshi banks which have branch offices in the specific country where the migrants work. Local banks’ exchange houses which have agreements with Bangladeshi banks, are also reliable in this regard. Embassy of Bangladesh helps in getting photo and other documentations’ attestation which is needed for opening bank accounts.    

1.      Wage Earner’s Welfare Fund (WEWF):

Government has created a Wage Earner’s Welfare Fund (WEWF) in the BMET to extend welfare services to the migrant workers. A Board of Directors comprising of inter-ministerial representatives operates this fund. It comprises senior level representation from Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Finance Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh Bank, etc. All information regarding welfare services can be viewed by visiting BMET website: www.bmet.gov.bd

2.      One stop Service Building at 71-72, Elephant Road, Eskaton, Dhaka

Some new facilities are being introduced for migrant workers:

• A hostel complex is being set up at Eskaton, Dhaka to provide following facilities:
• Rooms for short stay in Dhaka for migrant workers. 
• Trade testing. 
• Medical testing facilities.
• Briefing Centre. 
• Airlines office for ticketing facilities
• Passport facilities 
• Recreation centre

References

http://www.migrantworkersrights.net/en/resources/welfare-activities-for-bangladeshi-migrant-workers

Safe Migration Facilitation Centres of BRAC:

Safe Migration Facilitation Centers (SMFCs) are established at district level in order to support the migrant. SMFCs provide necessary information and service to those who are opted for immigration or have already migrated and their family members. SMFCs provide information in regards to rules and regulations to be followed for migration, recruiting agents, referrals, training, loan, IGA, MMI/remittance investment, VISA verification, Passport form fill-up, relevant rules and laws.

SMFCs were established in 2006 with an aim to highlight migration as one of the possible means of earning livelihood. SMFCs were formed in the districts of Bangladesh those are prone to poverty and have high migration rate. The districts are Rangpur, Dhaka, Barishal. Sylhet. Noakhali, and Khulna. In course of time, SMFC coverage has extended to other districts considering the demand of SMFC services among mass people. Currently, 17 SMFCs are operating under migration programme at the 

What are the documents the migrants have to take while going abroad

Migrants can get any kind of information regarding the specific country (culture, manners and etiquettes, laws and regulations, contacts of other Bangladeshi migrant workers etc.) from the Embassy of Bangladesh.

1.      What are the documents the migrants have to take while going abroad?

·         Bio Data, passport, departure clearance smart card, birth certificate, skills or experience certificate, academic/vocational/scholarship training certificate, merit certificate (if applicable), passport size photo, and medical fitness certificate[1]

·         It is advised to know specific country document requirements either from Embassy website or visa processing Centre.

·         Authenticity of the recruiting agency and employer should be checked. Additionally, whether the employment advertisement is endorsed by the government should be checked. 

2.      What is the process of immigration in Bangladesh airport?

An emigration clearance card (smart card) must to be collected from BMET. There are some specific counters for migrants’ assistance in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet airports.

·         Help Desk (Dhaka International Airport): 8901040
e-mail: wellfanedesk@gmail.com

·         Help Desk (Chittagong Airport): 031-2500957
e-mail: pkdctg@gmail.com

·         Help Desk (Sylhet International Airport): 01711300361
e-mail: shipar.sylairport@gmail.com

3.      After landing what are the mandatory procedures a migrant should follow in a foreign country?

After immigration and collection of baggage, migrants should report to the Embassy of Bangladesh located in specific countries

4.      How do the migrants address human trafficking issue?

District Employment and Manpower Office (DEMO)[2] in different locations in Bangladesh is the contact focal for any kind of issues regarding human trafficking.

5.      What are the essential financial information for migrants?

---

[1] For medical certificate one has to have urine and stool test, blood pressure, eye examination, blood test, chest-x-ray, general physical examination. In some countries the applicants need to take the HIV AIDS and Hepatitis test.

[2] An annex will be attached with the contact details of the Embassy of Bangladesh in different countries. 

Information Sheet for Trainer

Information Sheet for Trainer: Module 3.7: Migration

1.      Where should the interested candidates for migration contact for getting help in Bangladesh?

These are the authorised institutions for safe migration in Bangladesh:

·         Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET)

·         Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL)

·         Private recruiting agencies with license

·         Vocational education centres

·         Some authorised private organisations and NGOs conducting trainings on safe migration etc.

Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) has a help desk where interested candidates can directly contact by visiting or through telephone for any kind of information and service regarding migration.

Address: Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), Prabashi Kallyan Samiti, 71-72, Old Elephant Road, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh. 

BMET helpline: 8319322, 8323004, 8322946, 8317511 (from Sunday-Thursday, 9:00 am-5:00 pm)

Email: bmet@bmet.org.bd

Website: www.bmet.gov.bd

2.      Where should they get help in foreign countries?

a.      General information: Embassy of Bangladesh

b.      Contact Labour Attaché, who supports as follows:

·         Aid to the stranded workers for repatriation. 

·         Financial Assistance to the distressed workers. 

·         Mitigate problems related to non-payment of salary, benefits through labour courts and other related offices

·         Provide legal aid assistance to the workers. 

·         Burial of dead bodies of Bangladeshi workers abroad.

c.       Exploitation or harassment: There is a web link where you can complain against specific exploitation: www.ovijogbmet.org

Safe Return

Explain how to safely return                       15 Min

Visual Aid  3.7.7: Safe Return

Safe Return from Migration
·          Get a work certificate from your employer ·          Ensure that all due fees are paid ·          Contact Labour Attaché
·          Back in Bangladesh get in touch with -       Reintegration and Referral Services for Returning migrant workers (give details as per instruction sheet) -       Welfare Desks, Community Centres ·          Get your skills certified ·          Apply for loan

            Summarise session

  Visual Aid  3.7.8: Summary

Summary ·         Be well informed about migration ·         Use the safe, formal route of migration and return ·         Be registered before – during and after migration ·         Keep your passport ·         Keep connected!

Explain how to settle abroad safely

 Explain how to settle abroad safely                         20 Min

Visual Aid  3.7.6: While Migrating

Be Protected in Destination Country
·          Contact Labour Attaché for registration and problems in country ·          Know your contract and your rights! ·          Be part of local networks and NGOs ·          Always keep your passport or a copy with you! ·          Make payments only through banks	Source: BRAC

           

Highlight that it is important while returning to use the formal route of return again. Use your network and inform labour attaché about your departure. Make sure that employer provides you a work certificate. When back in Bangladesh ensure to get in touch with the Referral Services for Returning Workers, and use NGOs for your help in case you have difficulties. There are also Welfare desks and community centre, which can support you getting back safely and re-integrate quickly with a good support. 

Ask NGOs: they also provide

Ask NGOs: they also provide ·        Pre-departure training, skills training, language training, certification ·        Legal advice, migration Loan ·        Know migration fees!

Discuss what all is required if one prepares for migration

Visual Aid  3.7.5: Pre-Departure

Papers required ·        Passport ·        Birth Certificate ·        Skills-Experience Certificate ·        Educational Certificate ·        Passport size photo ·        Medical Certificate[1] ·        Specific country documents (check with Embassy or processing centre)	Get SMART CARD from BMET
Check Recruitment Agency! It must be accredited by BMET

While referring to the 2 cases earlier discussed, highlight the most important musts when in a Destination Country. Discuss possible dangers and how people can protect themselves.

---

[1] For medical certificate one has to have urine and stool test, blood pressure, eye examination, blood test, chest-x-ray, general physical examination. In some countries the applicants need to take the HIV AIDS and Hepatitis test.