The International Labour Organization (ILO) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) have agreed to strengthen their collaboration in Bangladesh around activities of common interest, in particular safe and skilled migration. Srinivas Reddy, ILO Bangladesh Country Director, and Sarat Dash, IOM Bangladesh Chief of Mission, signed the cooperation agreement on Wednesday to see the organisations work more closely together. The signing ceremony was organised on the sidelines of a discussion on "Maximising the Potential of Labour Migration through Skills Development and Accreditation" organised by IOM and ILO, said a statement of ILO on Thursday. The discussion focused on the increasing priority on skilled workers by the Government of Bangladesh and how this could be supported to also include labour migrants. The agreement will guide both agencies to implement their programmes in Bangladesh in the field of migration and labour rights through the formulation of strategic partnerships and joint activities. Support will also be provided to the Government of Bangladesh to achieve its commitments to regional and international forums and frameworks on migration and employment. Begum Shamsun Nahar, Secretary, Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment; Md. Shahidul Haque, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Argentina Matavel Piccin as well as development partners were present at the deal signing ceremony. Speaking at the signing Srinivas Reddy, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh said, "ILO and IOM share a vision and commitment to improving the lives of workers in Bangladesh, especially those who migrate to find a better future for themselves and their families." "This partnership will help us to pull together the strength of both agencies to serve our cliental better," said Sarat Dash, Chief of IOM Mission in Bangladesh.

Source: UNB