“We call on the government of Bangladesh to deposit the instrument of ratification without delay and begin to take the necessary steps, in meaningful consultation with civil society and labour groups, to harmonise national legislations with the Convention and ensure their effective implementation,” said Odhikar Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan. “We also call on the government to ratify ILO Conventions Nos. 97 and 143 in order to provide a comprehensive framework for protection of migrant workers,” added Adilur Rahman Khan.
An estimated seven million Bangladeshis are working overseas as migrant workers, over 90% of whom are living in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Other countries in the Asia-Pacific that are party to the Convention include the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Timor-Leste. Cambodia and Indonesia have signed but not ratified the Convention.
“This is an encouraging step by the government of Bangladesh and other states must follow suit,” said Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH President. “One of the most glaring protection gaps lies in the European Union, where no country is party to the Migrant Workers’ Convention. If European states mean what they say about human rights, they must match their words with concrete actions by becoming party to the Convention and ensure protection for one of the most vulnerable groups in the region and the world,” stressed Ms Belhassen.
For more information on FIDH’s and Odhikar’s activities on Bangladesh and migrants’ rights, please visit:
http://www.odhikar.org/
http://www.fidh.org/-Migrants-Rights-
http://www.fidh.org/-Bangladesh,596-