Italy keen to recruit more Bangladeshi workers 

Home Adviser Lt. Gen. Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (retd) has said Italy is keen to take more Bangladeshi workers.    

The adviser said this while talking to newsmen after a meeting with Interior Minister of Italy Matteo Piantedosi held at the ministry’s conference room on Monday.

The adviser assured Italian minister of extending cooperation to return illegal Bangladeshi nationals under mutually agreed framework.

“The Italy government will take generous initiatives to legalize Bangladeshi nationals staying in Italy,” he hoped. 

In addition, he said, the two countries are poised to sign a declaration establishing the Joint Committee on Promoting Cooperation in Preventing and Combating Transnational Organized Crimes and the proposed Agreement on Cooperation in Security Matters.

The initiatives are intended to strengthen our collaboration based on mutual understanding, respect, and shared commitment, he said.

“We are aware that a significant number of Bangladeshi nationals have entered Italy through different channels, and we fully recognize the challenges faces by the Italian government,” he said. 

Jahangir continued that many of these individuals began their journey with valid documentation. But sometimes they face exploitation and misinformation, particularly during secondary movements through transit countries.  

The Government of Bangladesh remains steadfast in addressing these challenges through a comprehensive, multi-pronged strategy, he said, adding that this strategy is underpinned by three core principles- law enforcement, education, and protection of human rights. 

The adviser said Bangladesh government has developed a robust legal framework aimed at combating human trafficking. 
In line with this, Bangladesh has established the Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) Unit, dedicated to investigating trafficking-related crimes.

Italy can help to strengthen Bangladesh Police, Bangladesh Borger Guard (BGB), Bangladesh Coast guard and other security agencies through exchange of training and other capacity development initiatives, he said.

The adviser said, Bangladesh appreciates Italy's proposal for an Agreement on Cooperation in Security Matters. 

Additionally, Bangladesh is also eager to explore the possibility of entering into a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, which would further strengthen legal and judicial cooperation between the two countries, he said.