Ami Probashi App Registration - Protect data of migrant workers: speakers

Bangladesh Civil Society for Migrants yesterday urged the government to protect data provided by migrant workers when registering for "Ami Probashi" app, which is a prerequisite for Covid-19 vaccine registration. 

Saying some private organisations are involved in operating Ami Probashi, they urged the government to add a "disclaimer" in the app's registration form, saying that data from the app will not be used for other purposes except for government use to send workers abroad.

A platform of more than 20 likeminded organisations working in the migration sector, BCSM made the call during an online press conference.

Besides, the platform urged the government to arrange single-dose vaccines such as Johnson and Johnson, which are approved in the destination country, for migrant workers to save their time during vaccination.

As per a government decision, outbound migrant workers have to register on Ami Probashi under the expatriates' welfare ministry first to have access to the designated Surokkha app for vaccine registration.

On Ami Probashi, a migrant worker has to input data of themselves and their families, said Prof Tasneem Siddiqui, chairperson of Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU), a member organisation of BCSM.

However, there is no disclaimer in the form stating that data will not be used for any other purpose by other institutions or organisations, she said, while reading out a concept note.

"It is a question of ethical concern," said Prof Tasneem.

Alongside the government, some private organisations are involved in the operation of Ami Probashi app, she added.

BCSM Chairperson Prof CR Abrar hoped that the government will handle the issue of data protection with sincerity, saying it is a privacy issue of migrant workers.

"Data is the biggest capital in the present day," he said, adding that information provided by migrant workers should not be compromised.

Although the government has taken different initiatives to ensure wellbeing of migrant workers, it is not unlikely that there could be some limitations while implementing them, said Prof Abrar, also executive director of RMMRU.

Syed Saiful Haque, co-chair of BCSM and chairperson of Warbe Development Foundation, among others, spoke at the event.