Safe migration: Preventing human trafficking

On 18th and 17th February, more than 70 entrepreneurs of Union Digital Centers (UDC) in Sirajganj and Joypurhat districts received day long training on safe migration and anti-trafficking issues. Relief International (RI) has been working with Union Digital Centre (UDC) in 10 districts in Bangladesh to prevent human trafficking and to promote safe migration in rural Bangladesh under its 3 years long project ''Combating Human Trafficking in Bangladesh through the promotion of Safe Migration and Protection' funded by US Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons”.

“Human Trafficking being an organised crime is the biggest challenge for safe migration of potential Bangladeshi migrants. They often fall victims of national and international syndicates involved in human trafficking and human smuggling. The RI project will utilize the power of 'Digital Bangladesh' to promote safe migration in rural areas of Bangladesh” said Nazrul Islam, Country Director of the US based International Non-Government Organization, Relief International.

In collaboration with the local organisations and Counter Trafficking Community Committees, RI has selected 250 UDCs in 10 districts to participate in a comprehensive capacity building training program. A training curriculum has been developed with modules on safe migration, government-sanctioned recruitment procedures, human trafficking, and support services for victims in home and destination countries.

Over the next three years, the project will be implemented in Rajshahi, Nawabganj, Sirajgon, Pabna, Joypurhat, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Jessore, Sathkhira and Cox's Bazar in collaboration with 3 local non-government organizations, Rights Jessore, Associations for Community Development and Help Cox's Bazar. “The US$ 750,000 project will enable the UDC to provide a range of safe migration information services to the aspiring migrant workers turning these rural digital centers into Safe Migration and Anti Trafficking Resource Center. The trained UDC officials will also conduct more than 700 information sessions for potential and aspiring migrant workers. The UDCs under the project are expected to provide information on safe migration and human trafficking to thousands of potential migrants in rural Bangladesh. “This model has true potential to be replicated in all UDCs in Bangladesh.” Islam said.

The Government of Bangladesh established UDCs at the Union Parishad, the lowest administrative unit, as part of Bangladesh Government's agenda for a 'Digital Bangladesh' to provide a range of citizen services including information on employment, education, agriculture, and heath. At present, more than 6000 entrepreneurs are working in 5275 UDC across Bangladesh.