The Validation Workshop and subsequent Multi-Stakeholder Consultation on the Labour Migration National Action Plan (LM-NAP) 2026 brought together key stakeholders to review, discuss and strengthen the Action Plan for Bangladesh’s labour migration sector. iSocial, in collaboration with BILS and ILO, led the research and development of the LM-NAP 2026, under the leadership of Chairperson Dr. Ananya Raihan, who presented the Action Plan at both engagements. The Multi-Stakeholder Consultation was attended by State Minister Nurul Haque Nuru, alongside representatives from trade unions, civil society, migrant-rights organisations, migrant workers and returnees, and other stakeholders. 

Objective and Structure: The Validation Workshop provided an opportunity to review the proposed Action Plan and gather feedback on its priorities and recommendations. This was followed by the Multi-Stakeholder Consultation, which brought together a broader range of stakeholders to discuss the Action Plan and reflect on key challenges across Bangladesh’s labour migration journey. The discussions followed a migration-lifecycle approach, considering challenges and opportunities from pre-departure and recruitment through employment, remittance management, return and reintegration. 

Key Areas of Deliberation: Discussions focused on the major priorities identified in the LM-NAP 2026, including: 

1. Safe and informed migration: Strengthening access to reliable information, pre-departure preparation and services throughout the migration process. 

1. Recruitment and migration costs: Strengthening recruitment governance, transparency and accountability while addressing the high costs associated with overseas migration. 

1. Skills development and destination diversification: Strengthening skills development, certification and recognition while expanding access to diverse labour markets and emerging employment opportunities. 

1. Worker protection and migration governance: Strengthening institutional coordination, accountability and protection mechanisms for migrant workers across the migration lifecycle. 

1. Financial inclusion and remittance management: Improving access to formal financial services and strengthening how migrant workers and their families receive, manage and use remittances to support household resilience and longer-term economic wellbeing. 

1. Digital services and one-stop support: Strengthening digital migration services, including the Probashi Card and one-stop service approach, to make information and essential services more accessible to migrant workers. 

1. Gender-responsive migration: Addressing the different experiences and needs of women and men across the migration journey and strengthening gender-responsive policies and services. 

1. Return and reintegration: Strengthening support for returnees, including access to livelihoods, services, skills utilisation and reintegration opportunities. 

Outcome: The two engagements provided valuable feedback and stakeholder perspectives to strengthen the LM-NAP 2026. The discussions helped connect the Action Plan’s proposed priorities with the experiences and concerns of stakeholders across the migration ecosystem, supporting the development of a more safe, inclusive, transparent and responsive framework for labour migration in Bangladesh. The process also reinforced the importance of strong institutional coordination and effective implementation to translate the Action Plan’s priorities into meaningful outcomes for migrant workers and their families. 

Event Details 

Programme: Labour Migration National Action Plan (LM-NAP) 2026
Lead: Dr. Ananya Raihan, Chairperson, iSocial
Engagements: Validation Workshop followed by Multi-Stakeholder Consultation
Special Guest: State Minister Nurul Haque Nuru (Multi-Stakeholder Consultation)