Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on Wednesday (June 17) said the government is maintaining diplomatic engagement with countries hosting undocumented Bangladeshi migrants to expand opportunities for their regularization, stressing that the issue ultimately depends on the laws and policies of the respective host states.
Responding to a starred question by ruling party MLA Mohammad Jahandar Ali Mia (Madaripur-3) in Parliament, he said the Bangladeshi diaspora is making outstanding contributions to national development and remains a major driving force behind the country’s economic progress.
The minister said that the present government gives utmost importance to the welfare, rights and dignity of Bangladeshi citizens living abroad.
He said Bangladesh continues diplomatic contacts and discussions at various levels with countries where Bangladeshi citizens are living or working without proper documentation.
“Within the framework of the laws and regulations of those countries, we are pursuing diplomatic engagement to expand regularization opportunities for eligible and employed Bangladeshi citizens,” he told parliament.
Khalilur Rahman said Bangladeshi missions abroad are actively providing consular assistance and facilitating participation in regularization and amnesty programs announced by host countries.
“Whenever a country announces amnesty or regularization program for irregular migrants, our embassies provide necessary information, guidance and overall assistance to undocumented Bangladeshis living there,” he said.
Referring to recent developments in Europe, he said Spain’s initiative to legalize around 500,000 undocumented migrants could benefit around 20,000 Bangladeshis.
He said, “As you know, the Spanish government has taken the initiative to grant legal status to approximately 500,000 irregular migrants. As a result, an estimated 20,000 Bangladeshi citizens are expected to get legal residency and employment opportunities.”
However, the minister stressed that regularizing undocumented migrants is a sovereign decision of the host country.
He said, “The legalization of irregular migrants living in a foreign state depends primarily on that country’s own laws, policies and decisions. Therefore, despite all the efforts and goodwill of the Government of Bangladesh and its embassies, regularization cannot be guaranteed through unilateral initiative by Bangladesh alone.”
He said, “Irregular migration often exposes our citizens to human trafficking, labor exploitation, legal complications and other risks. For this reason, the government gives top priority to legal, safe and orderly migration.”
Khalilur Rahman said Bangladesh is working to preserve existing labor markets and open new markets through bilateral and multilateral engagement with countries in Europe, East Asia, Africa and South America.
He informed the House that MoUs are currently being processed with Cambodia, Thailand, Malta, Mauritius, Spain, Serbia, Russia, Turkey, Fiji, Albania, Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
He said discussions are also ongoing with Guyana regarding the recruitment of health workers.
The Minister underlined skills development as the cornerstone of labor market expansion.
“The government considers skills development as the foundation for expanding overseas employment opportunities,” he said. He said that special emphasis is being laid on international standard technical training, language education, skill certification and workforce preparation based on global market demands.
He said skill development programs under the European Union Talent Partnership Initiative have already started, while free Japanese language training has been launched in Technical Training Centers (TTCs) across Bangladesh.
The Minister also highlighted an MoU signed between Bangladesh and the Philippines on 1 April 2026, which covers nursing training and cooperation in the health sector.
Furthermore, he said Australia had recently launched a six million dollar project to upskill Bangladeshi workers using Australia’s TAFE and TVET experience.
He said, “We believe that every Bangladeshi working abroad is a valuable national asset and a vital partner in our economic progress. But irregular migration is harmful to both the diaspora and the country’s reputation.”
“To nip in the bud, irregular migration, we are working with the International Organization for Migration and also engaging bilaterally with different countries,” he said.