Workers being trained for Japan: Minister

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed on Thursday said the government had taken steps to create more skilled workers through proper training to meet the demands for foreign worker of different countries including Japan.
"Japan usually takes foreign workers as 'technical interns'. To send more workers to Japan, Bangladesh has already signed an agreement. If we can fulfill their demands for skilled workers, they will hire more from Bangladesh." the minister said.
He said this while handing over smart cards to the workers selected for Japan.
The programme was arranged at Probashi Kalyan Bhaban office at Eskaton in the capital.
Parliament member Moazzem Hossain Ratan, the Daily Observer Editor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, and Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) Director General Selim Reza attended the programme, among others, a release of the ministry said.
The Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) sends Bangladeshi technical interns to Japan with the support of International Manpower Development Organization (IM Japan) free of cost.
As part of the programme, Japan takes Bangladeshi migrants initially for three year on condition of three months technical training.
After three months of training, the technical interns get job for next 33 months. After ending 36-month period, the migrants can get two-year more extension.
Recalling the initiatives and efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to open Japan's overseas employment market, Imran Ahmed said the officials concerned should work sincerely to fulfill the target of the Premier.
He said the workers of Bangladesh had reputation in international labour market. Bangladeshi migrant workers work hard.
Once, the market of Japan starts taking Bangladeshi migrants regularly, other markets will also open. It would help the government to earn more remittances and create more overseas employment for our country's people.
He also urged the selected technical interns to work hard with sincerity to boost up the country's image in the international labour markets.
The minister handed smart cards to four selected overseas jobseekers while the rest will be handed over by the BMET before their departure for Japan.