Ami Probashi App: 5 lakh migrant workers sign up for Covid jab
About five lakh migrant workers have registered through the Ami Probashi app to get inoculated for Covid-19, said Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) Director General Shahidul Alam yesterday.
As a result, the government has earned about Tk 10 crore in revenue from app registration fees, he told a programme, marking the launch of a new online registration process at the capital's BMET training facilities.
The DG said because the workers registered through the app, they were able to get hassle-free services.
BMET organised the launch programme at its conference
hall. The event was also aired live virtually.
The newly-launched online registration process will enable aspirant migrant workers to use Ami Probashi app to get registered with 64 Technical Training Centres (TTC) and six marine technology institutes across the country to enrol in various pre-departure skills training courses.
Ami Probashi app is a digital platform operated by the expatriates' welfare ministry. The app provides various support services to Bangladeshi nationals seeking job opportunities abroad.
As per government decision, migrant workers have to first register with BMET, by paying a fee, to be eligible for Covid-19 vaccine registration on Surokkha site/app. One way to register with BMET is through Ami Probashi app.
Addressing the programme, the BMET DG said authorities are planning to add a new condition for recruiting agents to obtain a recruitment licence: agencies have to arrange a job fair at least once a year at TTC to recruit workers.
Addressing the programme as chief guest, Expatriates' Welfare Ministry Secretary Ahmed Munirus Saleheen said due to the service of Ami Probashi app, migrant workers could overcome a crisis period and ensure Covid-19 vaccination.
In terms of per capita remittance, the secretary said, Bangladesh's position is "frustrating" when compared to what other labour-sending countries such as India and Philippines earn.
"Our per capita remittance, when compared to international standard, is very low," he said, adding that to improve the remittance situation, focus has to be given on quality migration, and the government has taken various steps to ensure that.