The government will implement the Taka 427 crore project by December 2023 to provide Taka 13,500 to each of some 2 lakh expatriate workers, who have returned home due to the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved a Taka 427.30 crore project to create employments for the expatriate workers.
The approval came from the 1st ECNEC meeting of the current fiscal year (FY22) held on Wednesday (July 28) with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The premier joined the meeting virtually from her official Ganobhaban residence while concerned Ministers, State Ministers, Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned attended the meeting from the NEC Conference Room in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.
Planning Minister MA Mannan briefed reporters after the meeting.
According to him, a total of 10 projects were approved today involving an overall estimated cost of Taka 2,575.42 crore.
“Of the total project cost, Taka 2,150.42 crore will come from the Government of Bangladesh while the rest of Taka 425 crore as project assistance,” he added.
Of the approved 10 projects, seven are new while three are revised projects.
Newly appointed State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam, Planning Commission members and secretaries concerned also joined the briefing.
Mannan said the Wage Earners Welfare Board under the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment will implement the Taka 427 crore project by December 2023 for some 2 lakh expatriate workers. The World Bank will provide Taka 425 crore as loan for the project.
He said the workers will be given necessary orientation and counseling while some 23,500 selected skilled workers would be facilitated to get jobs both at home and abroad.
Dr Shamsul Alam said around 5 lakh expatriate workers have so far returned home while 2 lakh returnee workers would be given support under the project.
The project area covers 32 districts namely - Dhaka, Tangail, Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, Munshiganj, Faridpur, Gopalganj, Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Thakurgaon, Pabna, Bogura, Naogaon, Rajshahi, Sirajganj, Barishal, Patuakhali, Kushtia, Jashore, Khulna, Feni, Noakhali, Chandpur, Chattogram, Brahmanbaria, Cox’s Bazar, Rangamati, Cumilla, Sylhet, and Sunamganj.
BDST: 1700 HRS, JUL 28, 2021
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