Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has called on recruiting agencies, training centres and overseas employers to make full use of the newly launched Overseas Employment Platform (OEP) to promote safe, transparent and dignified labour migration.

Speaking as chief guest at the platform’s launch in Dhaka on Thursday, Dr Nazrul said migrant workers are a source of national pride whose contribution to Bangladesh’s economy is “invaluable.”

He emphasised the government’s responsibility to guarantee that their journey abroad is protected, ethical and well-supported. “The OEP is a major step toward fulfilling this responsibility,” he added.

Describing the platform as a milestone for the overseas employment sector, he said the government aims to ensure the OEP becomes accessible to every household in the country.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Senior Secretary Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan said the digital platform represents a transformative step for safe and efficient migration.

Designed as a one-stop online service, the OEP integrates verified overseas job listings, real-time application tracking, skills development links and streamlined government procedures.

He said the platform empowers workers, reduces migration costs and helps eliminate exploitation by bringing all essential services under one transparent system.

“The launch of OEP modernises and digitises the recruitment process and reflects the government’s commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of migrant workers,” he noted.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, ILO Country Director Max Tunon and Swiss Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Diepak Elmer also spoke at the event.