PM calls for opening language training centres to develop a skilled workforce for overseas employment

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday directed the authorities concerned to establish language training centres across the country to develop skilled manpower for overseas employment.

The premier gave the instruction at a meeting of the committee formed to expand overseas employment opportunities and ensure the welfare of expatriates.

He chaired the meeting at his Cabinet Division office at the Bangladesh Secretariat, said the prime minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman.

“The prime minister has directed the relevant ministries to take quick steps to prepare unemployed youths for jobs abroad and asked them to open language training centres with the participation of both local and foreign instructors,” Ruman said.

He added that the premier emphasised the importance of enabling unemployed youths to learn foreign languages so that they can secure employment opportunities overseas.

The meeting also discussed various ways to rapidly expand overseas employment opportunities and related issues.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister Md Nurul Hoque, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, and senior officials of the relevant ministries attended the meeting.

Ruman said the prime minister also instructed the ministries concerned to introduce low-interest bank loans and simplify the loan process so that prospective migrant workers do not have to sell personal property to go abroad for employment.

Free Wi-Fi at Three International Airports

The additional press secretary said the prime minister also directed the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry to introduce free Wi-Fi services at the terminals of the country’s three international airports — Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, Shah Amanat International Airport in Chattogram, and MAG Osmani International Airport in Sylhet — similar to facilities available in airports of developed countries.

Renovation of Temple in Dhaka-17 Constituency

Ruman also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has taken steps to quickly implement one of his election commitments in his constituency, Dhaka‑17.

During the election campaign in Dhaka-17, he had promised to renovate a temple belonging to members of the Sanatan Hindu community near National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital in Mohakhali.

The prime minister has instructed authorities to begin renovation work at the temple next Saturday, Ruman said.

The inauguration of the renovation work will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, with administrators of the two Dhaka city corporations Abdus Salam and Shafiqul Islam Khan, and Tarique Rahman’s election coordinator in the Dhaka-17 constituency, Professor Farhad Halim Donar, expected to be present.