Bangladesh is looking for ways to further capitalise its specialisation on the readymade garments sector, the latest of which is export of apparel sector manpower abroad.
Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Islam expressed interest in exporting garment sector manpower abroad, particularly in the European Union, at a view exchange meeting with Bangladeshi expatriates in Italy recently.
“Bangladesh has an abundance of labour in the sector of readymade garments. They are aptly skilled. We can look forward to exporting this available manpower overseas. The European market can be an ideal destination for garment manpower export,” he said.
The minister visited two apparel factories in Rome where over 500 Bangladeshi workers are employed. Besides, there are some hundreds of factories in Italy, owned by Bangladeshi businessmen, that plays host to over 5,000 workers from Bangladesh.
To the workers, he said: “Remit your money to Bangladesh through legal channels and be a part of the country’s development activities.” He also called the workers to be members of Wage Honours Welfare Board. He also spoke to the workers and listened to their woes.
Minister Nurul Islam left Dhaka for Italy, with a six-member delegation, on a 10-day official visit to explore manpower export opportunities. He is leading a six-member delegation. The team is expected to return to Bangladesh on July 31.
Among those present during his meeting were Md Selim Reza, Director General of Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training; Maran Kumar Chakrabortty, Managing Director of Boesel; Nasrin Jahan, Joint Secretary to the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment and Md Shamsul Islam, Deputy Secretary to the Ministry.