Labour migration (particularly to the Gulf region) is an important instrument for Bangladesh to address the growing needs for employment and job creation. Nevertheless, the migrant workers sometimes are faced with complex challenges both at home and in their countries of destination. Switzerland is working with Bangladesh at local, national and global levels to facilitate a safer migration experience for the migrant workers.
During this mission, Ambassador Mascioli met with the Foreign Secretary of the Government of Bangladesh, Mr. Shahidul Haque, on 11 September. The Swiss delegation has also travelled to Narsingdi district on 12 September 2019 to visit the Return and Reintegration Project of Migrant Workers in Bangladesh, which is implemented by BRAC and co-funded by the governments of Switzerland and Denmark. The project aims to make reintegration economically and socially sustainable for returnee migrants, so that they do not feel obliged to re-migrate for socio-economic reasons. The Swiss delegation also met with the representatives of the Bangladeshi civil society, diplomatic community and development agencies during their visit to Bangladesh.