DHAKA – Italy has expressed its interest in recruiting more workers from Bangladesh and will take measures to ensure safe migration. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, who is currently visiting Dhaka, conveyed this to Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus during a meeting at the state guest house Jamuna on Monday.
During their meeting, they discussed various issues of mutual interest, including safe and legal migration of Bangladeshis, prevention of human trafficking, and trade and investment.
Matteo Piantedosi informed the Chief Advisor that Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni might visit Bangladesh before September, as Rome aims to 'renew' and 'revitalize' bilateral cooperation with Dhaka.
He stated, "There is a large Bangladeshi community in Italy. We are very satisfied with this community because they are young, hardworking, and have integrated well into Italian society. We need more such citizens from Bangladesh."
The Italian Interior Minister said, "I am here because many Bangladeshis dangerously try to reach Italy through illegal channels, which is risky. We want them to come through legal means."
He emphasized that uncontrolled immigration via sea is a serious problem for Italy and sought Bangladesh's cooperation in combating illegal immigration and organized crime.
"We have come to propose a new cooperation policy," he added.
Chief Advisor Yunus stated that Bangladesh is keen to work with Italy to stop illegal immigration and human trafficking.
The Chief Advisor also mentioned that Bangladeshis living in Italy are grateful to the host country and deeply appreciate the respect they receive there.
Professor Yunus pointed out that some international groups lure Bangladeshis to travel to Italy illegally, and these individuals are the ones creating problems.
He emphasized that in such cases, the migrants are the victims, not the beneficiaries of human trafficking.
Recalling his meeting with the Italian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly session in New York last September, he said that both countries would work closely together to address these issues.
