Ami Probashi Continues Digitization, Despite Pushback from Status Quo, to Reduce Migration Cost
Migrant workers are often the most neglected portion of the society. They bring so much value to our economy, but they are ignored at best and harassed and extorted in general. Part of the problem lies with excessive rules and regulations: processes are challenging to complete and involve multiple trips to government offices, agencies, and middlemen, and there is no clear and trusted information available. Plus, there is no way to communicate with migrant workers once they are abroad- and no way for them to easily avail government help and support once abroad. All this results in one thing- rampant exploitation, rising migration costs, and hardship.
What is Ami Probashi?
Ami Probashi is an App and Web portal that tackles these inherent problems head-on, and it's the first of its kind in the world.
The app and portal were officially launched in May 2021, spearheaded by the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare, after completing an MoU and consequent service agreements between the MoEWOE, BMET, and Thane Systems – a subsidiary of Bangla Trac Communications. The platform was built for the Government at zero cost to the MoEWOE / BMET and operates on an optional service charge model
Ami Probashi brings autonomy, transparency, and security to the migration process by allowing users to complete mandated government processes by themselves, from the comfort of their homes, alongside other features like job search, training, chat support, BRAC features, and more.
Alongside launching pioneering digital government services like BMET registration, it connects aspiring migrants directly with employers and recruiting agencies, ultimately reducing migration costs by avoiding middlemen and costly physical office visits. Ami Probashi app and web portal is designed to completely digitize the migration process for all parties involved, saving time, cost, and hassle.
Optional Digital channel for completing gov processes
Ami Probashi is an optional and additional channel of completing pertinent government processes relevant to the aspiring migrant journey. The physical government offices to complete these processes are still available to all. But the digital option is preferred due to savings in travel, time, and excess "speed money". It allows the users to finally complete these processes themselves, without relying on middlemen.
Despite major pushback from the status quo of manual gov processes and middlemen, Ami Probashi is pushing forward with the mission of eliminating middlemen, with around 2.5 Million+ users already on board.
What is the BMET databank?
BMET database is a government databank for aspiring migrant wrokers - they can input their skills, details, and county of choice. Ami Probashi allows the digitization of this databank entry for just 100Taka. with 1million+ BMET registrations completed so far, Ami Probashi has helped BMET registration numbers to rise by 500% in just six months. And it has contributed ৳ 20 Crore+ to the government fund thus far
Priority Vaccination and Covid
The Government of Bangladesh and MoEW decided to launch priority vaccination for those traveling abroad for work. The MoEW suggested using BMET numbers to prioritize aspiring migrants by sending registered candidates BMET numbers to Shurokha. At the sole request of the MoEW, Ami Probashi addressed this crying need, in midst of a pandemic, by registering over a million people. Also, this was done at no additional cost. Because of Ami Probashi being able to offer this service, hundreds of thousands of expatriate workers were able to sign up to expedited vaccination without having to travel and physically queue at various demo offices. This protected not only the expatriate's own health from probable covid infection but also that of their families and community.
Autonomy and Jobs
We believe that by digitizing previously manual processes, we bring autonomy to the migration process - and ultimately achieve major savings for our users. Aspiring migrants can search for Government approved jobs and access numerous legitimate recruiting agencies for interviews, appointments, and direct communication bypassing shady middlemen. (Disclaimer: Ami Probashi does not originate or post jobs themselves).
The employers' portal allows direct communication via user and employer, further cutting out middlemen. Users have access to all the needful information required to go abroad, from country-wise fees and regulations to their nearest embassies and passport offices. Ensuring they are not misled or taken advantage of.
Digitizing TTCs
Ami Probashi has also automated and digitized 64 Technical Training Centres (TTC) and 6 Marine Technology Institutes across Bangladesh for enrollment and digital certification completely free of cost to the Ministry and BMET.
Value Added Services – Brac and Probashi Taxi
Partnered with BRAC, Ami Probashi enables users to search for BRAC Centers, communicate with BRAC Recruiting Agencies, and enroll in BRAC training centers, and complete the BRAC returnee migration form
With our newly signed MoU with Probashir Taxi, we ensure that aspiring migrants and returnee migrants have safe and reliable transportation when going to the airport and returning home.
Govt. Services To launch soon
Our goal is to digitize the entire process of an aspiring migrant's journey- from start to finish. With Pre-departure orientation, WEWB membership, and BMET clearance launching soon, aspiring migrants can complete all processes required to go abroad by themselves, bypassing physical offices that charge extortionate rates.
Support center
24/7 call center and live chat provide support and assistance for aspiring migrants and migrants abroad.
Analytics
Ami Probashi also provides crucial data analytics to the Government for in-depth information on applicants' skills, location, preferred jobs, country, etc. allowing the Government to take a more strategic approach while negotiating and marketing our workers abroad. Also, it helps the Ministry to understand the type of training initiatives they should undertake to upskill our workers for the ever-changing global requirements.
Ami Probashi also offers details regarding the nearest Passport Offices, Medical Centers, DEMO Offices, and Bangladesh Embassies/Missions abroad.
Ami Probashi, along with the MoEWOE and BMET, continues to push for digitization of processes despite steady pushback from vested interest groups.
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