80% of migrant issues overseas originate in Dhaka, says Touhid

The foreign advisor notes that a lack of staff is putting pressure on diplomatic missions

Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain has said most of the problems faced by Bangladeshi migrants abroad are “created” from within the country before they even leave.

Speaking at an event marking Foreign Service Day on Friday, he said: “We create 80 percent of the problems for our workers in Dhaka before sending them abroad.

“The remaining 20 percent occur after their arrival. But the burden of solving 100 percent of these problems falls on our missions.”

Touhid added, “If I have only 50 people in Saudi Arabia, how can I solve a million problems?

“So, the solution has to start from Dhaka by reducing the number of issues in the first place.”

The event was held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, where the advisor discussed the operations of foreign ministry officials at Bangladeshi missions abroad.

"I would say to my colleagues—the person who comes to you for help does not come out of mere whim,” said Touhid, a former foreign secretary.

He added, “Some people may come to cause trouble, but most arrive in deeply distress.

“You must do your utmost to ensure they get the help they need.”

Referring to the advisory council’s support for increasing staff at the missions, Touhid said: “We have limitations. We lack resources, we lack manpower.

“The number of expatriates has risen from 2 million to 10 million—how much have we been able to increase our staffing at the missions?”

Foreign Service Day has been observed annually on Apr 18 since 2012 in honour of the brave and historic role played by Bangladeshi diplomats during the Liberation War.

On this day in 1971, as many as 65 Bangladeshi diplomats and staff at the then Pakistan Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, led by Deputy High Commissioner M Hossain Ali, resigned from their positions.

They hoisted the Bangladeshi flag in place of Pakistan’s, effectively establishing the country’s first diplomatic mission.

It marked the launch of Bangladesh’s diplomatic front during the war.

Later, many Bengali officials at Pakistani missions around the world declared their loyalty to the Bangladesh government.

Some joined the Mujibnagar government while others worked to build international support for the Liberation War.

Just a day earlier, on Apr 17, 1971, Bangladesh’s first government had formally taken oath at the mango grove in Baidyanathtala, Meherpur sub-division, then part of Kushtia district.

Referring to the Apr 18 defection by diplomats in 1971, Touhid said the move gave a new dimension to the war. “Their allegiance to Bangladesh added a powerful layer to the Liberation War. The world took note of it.”

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also spoke at the event. “We are entering a new chapter marked by political transition and administrative transformation.

“This moment brings with it an even greater responsibility.”

“Safeguarding the country’s image on the global stage, while maintaining diplomatic professionalism and neutrality, is more important than ever,” he added.