Maldives (Commonwealth Union)_ Bangladesh and the United Nations have agreed to deepen their cooperation with the Maldives to better protect the rights and well-being of migrant workers, most of whom are Bangladeshi nationals employed across the island nation. The commitment came during a meeting in Malé between Hao Zhang, the UN Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, and Dr Md Nazmul Islam, Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to the country. According to information received in Dhaka, the discussion centered on improving the safety, security, and overall welfare of foreign workers, many of whom take on essential roles in construction, services, and other key sectors of the Maldivian economy.
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Both sides emphasized the importance of increased coordination between the UN, Bangladesh, and Maldivian authorities in ensuring that these workers have access to basic services, legal help, and equitable treatment. During the meeting, the UN Resident Coordinator updated the High Commissioner on the UN’s current objectives in the Maldives, which include ongoing programs to aid underprivileged communities and enhance resource allocation. He noted that safeguarding migrant workers remains a central focus of the UN’s work in the country.
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High Commissioner Nazmul Islam expressed appreciation for the UN’s continued support in promoting the rights, healthcare, and basic needs of Bangladeshi expatriates. He pointed out that Bangladeshi workers have long shown adaptability to Maldivian culture and language and have made valuable contributions to the Maldives’ economic growth and national development. He also mentioned prospects for young Maldivian medical graduates to do internships in Bangladesh, suggesting that such exchanges might improve collaboration in public health, labor standards, and human resource development. The High Commissioner proposed holding joint seminars and programs on labor rights, healthcare, and related issues in partnership with the UN and the Maldivian government.
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The UN Resident Coordinator welcomed these ideas and said the International Organization for Migration would be encouraged to develop an expanded framework to support migrant workers’ rights in the Maldives. Both parties also talked about the prospect of tighter coordination between IOM offices in Bangladesh and the Maldives to boost safe migration procedures and improve monitoring mechanisms. They expressed optimism that increased cooperation between the UN, Bangladesh, and the Maldives will assist in promoting migrant welfare, human rights, and long-term development throughout the region.
