Bangladesh determined to prevent illegal migration: Minister

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam says the Bangladesh government is determined to prevent illegal migration and promote regular migration to Australia. Photo taken from Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment ministry website.

He made this remark after a meeting with Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton at the latter’s office in Canberra, says a press release of the ministry quoting the office of Bangladesh High Commission in Australia.

Nurul Islam also said the government will repatriate the Bangladeshis who have entered Australia illegally or have over-stayed.

The Australian minister thanked the Bangladeshi minister for his assurance, and suggested that both sides should further discuss on how to enhance bilateral co-operation.

The two ministers held an extensive discussion on the possibility of recruiting workers from Bangladesh, strengthening and expanding, co-operation between the border protection forces of the two countries, relaxing of student visa for aspiring Bangladeshi students and other issues of mutual interest.

Referring to the growing needs of workers in Australia, particularly in the agriculture sector, Nurul Islam requested his Australian counterpart to consider recruiting seasonal workers from Bangladesh.

Responding to the Bangladesh Minister, Peter Dutton highlighted his country’s current immigration policy, which is essentially focused on skilled immigration.

Referring to the growing interest of Bangladeshi student to Australia, Nurul Islam requested his counterpart to consider relaxing the Australian Visa regime for Bangladeshi students. Minister Peter Dutton assured to look into the request.

The minister is currently in Australia leading a five member official delegation.