IOM launches app to provide info for migrants

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched an online information platform, BdeshJaatra, that provides information on safe migration, sustainable reintegration, and remittance management for aspirant migrants, migrants abroad, returnees, and their families.

This platform has been launched under the EU funded project Bangladesh: Sustainable Reintegration and Improved Migration Governance (Prottasha), implemented by IOM in partnership with BRAC under the leadership of the government of Bangladesh, according to a press release.

Dr Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, on Thursday launched the platform in a virtual ceremony attended by Giorgi Gigauri, Chief of Mission for IOM in Bangladesh.

BdeshJaatra is a mobile application and information platform that aimed at delivering migrant-friendly information services. The platform is hosted by BDjobs, Bangladesh’s largest job site, for job seekers looking for work within the country and beyond the border.

“Managing migration is a key government priority and we work to ensure protection and decent employment conditions for migrant workers,” said Dr Saleheen.

“We value the contribution of migrant workers to our national development and we have plans to send 1,000 workers abroad from each sub-district of the country each year. Information on safe migration, reintegration, and remittance management is essential to prevent exploitation, indebtedness, discrimination and abuse. BdeshJaatra is a timely initiative that will support migrants to make informed decisions,” the secretary added.

In her message, European Union Ambassador Rensje Teerink said well-informed decisions are sound decisions and well-informed migrants are protected migrants.

“This is another initiative of the EU-funded Prottasha programme to ensure safe migration and sustainable reintegration and support improved migration governance. I believe this digital platform will reduce the information gap and help to ensure safe, orderly, and regular migration.”

According to Giorgi Gigauri, the Covid-19 crisis has impacted communities across the world and that it is critical, now more than ever before, that migrants have regular access to up-to-date, verified information.

The purpose of this platform is to ensure migrant workers know their rights and where they can access support and services in countries of destination. It will also make migrant workers aware of what support they will receive if they return to Bangladesh.

“The families of the migrants will have access to information and tools to support improved remittance management through this platform,” Gigauri added.

BdeshJaatra provides information, in Bangla, on all stages of the migration-cycle including pre-decision, pre-departure, migration, and return. The 6.1MB mobile application, available for download from Google Play Store, includes an offline cache feature and can be used in low data usage mode.

Migrants remain one of Bangladesh’s most valuable investments and in 2019 alone, remittances totalled $18.32 billion.

In the last five decades, Bangladesh sent over 13 million migrant workers abroad. Since the early 2000s, the government has made concerted efforts to harness the development potential of migration for the country.