Diplomatic Desk:
Switzerland has assured continued cooperation in technical education, job-oriented training and safe migration management to develop Bangladesh’s manpower into an internationally skilled human resource. At the same time, the country has expressed its interest in strengthening cooperation in the rehabilitation and employment of migrant workers returning to the country.
On Sunday (June 28, 2026), these issues were discussed during a courtesy call on Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Rengli with Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment and Labor and Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said in the meeting that many Bangladeshi workers are being forced to return home due to the ongoing conflict and instability in the Middle East. Therefore, ensuring rehabilitation, employment and social security for the returning workers is now very important. Appreciating Switzerland’s cooperation through the International Labor Organization (ILO) in this regard, he expressed hope that this cooperation would continue in the future.
The minister thanked Switzerland for its technical assistance in developing the ‘Overseas Employment Platform (OEP)’ and said that this platform has made Bangladesh’s immigration management more modern, transparent and effective. However, Switzerland’s cooperation is also needed in manpower demand management, linking medical centers, developing a job portal and launching a dedicated mobile app.
He further said that the current government is giving utmost importance to a safe working environment, worker welfare, social security and skill development. Technical and job-oriented training is being expanded to develop a skilled workforce according to the needs of the international labor market.
Referring to the international reputation of Switzerland’s technical education and training, the minister said that Bangladeshi skilled workers are capable of making significant contributions in various specialized fields including healthcare, caregiving, information technology, engineering, hospitality and construction sectors. He also called for increasing scholarship opportunities in Switzerland for Bangladeshi students and researchers.
During the meeting, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Mokhtar Ahmed said that the Bangladeshi diaspora community living in Switzerland can play an important role in strengthening the relations between the two countries and increasing cooperation in various sectors.
In response, Swiss Ambassador Reto Rengli said that the cooperative relations between Bangladesh and Switzerland have deepened in the last 15 years. He emphasized the economic and social rehabilitation of migrant workers who have returned to the country.
Praising the potential of Bangladesh’s demographic dividend, the ambassador said that in addition to employment abroad, it is very important to create sufficient employment within the country. Switzerland will work sincerely to develop Bangladesh’s manpower as a skilled human resource of international standards by utilizing its long-standing experience.
Also present at the meeting were Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment Md. Abdur Rahman Tarafdar, Regional Advisor for Migration and Protection of Switzerland Lisa Greminger, Regional Program Manager Nazia Haider, and relevant senior officials from the two countries.
