Bangladesh, EU agree to to ease legal entry for workers

The issue was discussed at a meeting between Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and a high-level EU delegation led by Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner at the Home Ministry office in Bangladesh Secretariat today. 

The home minister said Bangladesh had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards illegal migration and was committed to working with the EU to prevent human trafficking, protect prospective migrants and promote safe and legal migration.

He said Bangladesh wanted to create opportunities to send fully documented, skilled workers to European labour markets through legal channels.

Brunner praised the strategic partnership and cooperation between Bangladesh and the EU, saying that preventing human trafficking and closing irregular migration routes were priorities for both sides. 

Reducing illegal migration would help facilitate the legal entry of Bangladeshi workers into European labour markets, he added.

The meeting also discussed accelerating legal migration under the EU's Talent Partnership initiative, particularly through internationally recognised training and certification for Bangladeshi workers.

Salahuddin Ahmed said around 750 trained skilled workers were facing complications related to European certification. 

He said EU member states had been requested to send training experts to Bangladesh to provide direct training and certification, and the EU delegation had responded positively to the proposal.

The two sides also discussed strengthening border management and security cooperation.

The minister said Bangladesh planned to introduce an Advanced Passenger Information and Border Management System at the country's air, sea and land ports by the end of 2026. 

The system will be connected to the Interpol database to improve passenger monitoring and the identification of criminals.

Cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (FRONTEX) was also discussed to enhance border management and technical capacity.

On the Rohingya crisis, Salahuddin Ahmed urged the EU to help build international pressure on Myanmar's authorities and the Arakan Army to facilitate safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingya refugees to their homeland. 

The EU delegation assured Bangladesh of joint diplomatic efforts on the issue.

The meeting was attended by EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, Director Henrik Nielsen, Cabinet member Grigorios Delavekouras, EU Deputy Head of Mission Baiba Zarina and senior officials from Bangladesh's home and foreign ministries.

The discussions underscored the shared interest of Bangladesh and the EU in tackling irregular migration while creating more structured, secure and legal pathways for skilled Bangladeshi workers to access employment opportunities in Europe, reports BSS.