'Develop human resources to resolve migrant workers' issue'

Academics at a seminar yesterday called for planned development of human resources to address the issues of migrant workers.
They said the high growth of population in the country forces people to migrate from one place to another.
The technical session of the daylong seminar of Bangladesh Geographical Society (BGS) was held at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban on the Dhaka University campus.
Dr AQM Mahbub of geography and environment department at Dhaka University presented a paper on 'Population growth, human settlement and sustainability' at the session.
He said Bangladesh must know what the labour markets will need in near future and train the human resources according to the requirements of labour importing countries.
“The export of manpower should be done in a planned and transparent way,” he added.
Dr Mahbub said the manpower exports are mainly done here through personal contacts and private initiatives.
The government help and assistance in this regard are very limited and for this people are often cheated, he added.
He said the country could have earned more through manpower exports if the embassies were helpful, service of Biman was good and the government had a strong policy.
Dr Mahbub also called for returning to joint family system to save lands for farming.
In another presentation, Dr Manjurul Hassan of geography and environment department at Jahangirnagar University, said population increase and rapid industrialisation have negative impacts on environment.
He said due to environmental pollution people are facing new types of diseases.
“Protection of environment is a pre-requisite for sound human health,” he added.
Dr Manjurul said reducing greenhouse gas emission is a must to save the environment.
Prof Shahnaz Huq Hossain, Prof Hafiza Khatun and Prof Amanat Ullah Khan of geography and environment department at Dhaka University spoke at the seminar chaired by Pro-Vice- chancellor of Stamford University Prof K Moudood.