|| Imtiaz Ahmed and Samia Tabassum: Bangladesh should train and groom manpower with proper skill and language to tap the manpower market in EU member-countries that have been witnessing negative growth in the population over the years.Kazi Enayet Ullah, president of France–Bangladesh Economic Chamber and a leading businessman in France , said this while talking to this correspondent.According to estimates, Europe requires approximately 12 million workers annually, including around 5 million in Germany and 3 million in France, with the remaining demand distributed among other European countries,  said Kazi Enayet Ullah, also Secretary General, All European Bangladesh Association (AEBA).Kazi Enayet Ullah said “At present, countries such as India, China, Vietnam, and several African countries are taking advantage of this demand by supplying skilled workers. Bangladesh, however, is unable to fully capitalize on this opportunity due to the absence of an appropriate policy framework and adequate, internationally oriented training centres.”He also said “We believe that, based on appropriate policy decisions and coordinated initiatives, Bangladesh should immediately begin developing a highly skilled workforce capable of meeting European labour-market standards. He has proposed to establish a training system in Bangladesh based on the labour-market demands and standards of the European Union.It is also important to ensure that Bangladeshi workers receive internationally recognized training based on European instructors, tools and equipment, and appropriate curricula.The EU countries have high demand in construction and civil works, building construction, plumbing, electrical work, welding, air-conditioning and heating technology (HVAC), reinforcement/rod binding, healthcare and social care, elderly care, rehabilitation and support services for senior citizens, nursing, caregiving, hospitality and tourism,  housekeeping,  transport and logistics, warehouse operators, agriculture and food processing, Information technology and green technology/green energy and  information technology (IT)He also said that during the initial phase, 12 strategically located major cities in Bangladesh will establish world-class European Skill Development Centres. Following the successful completion of the pilot phase, the programme will gradually be expanded to all 64 districts of Bangladesh.He also said that  the training centres will be equipped with modern European technology, tools, equipment, and laboratories.  Foreign/European instructors will be brought in to ensure international-standard training, he proposed.As language proficiency is an important requirement for employment in Europe, selected trainees will receive mandatory training in English, French, Spanish, German, and Italian, with appropriate proficiency targets such as A2/B1 level, depending on the destination country and occupation, he proposedHe also proposed that training will be based on relevant European and EU member-state vocational education and occupational standards, with the objective of ensuring that qualifications obtained through the programme have the greatest possible recognition and portability across European labour markets.He expressed the views that Bangladesh should set up international standard training institutes in the public-private partnership (PPP) to groom manpower, required in the EU countries…….To a question of political and social unrest in France, he said rising energy prices, cost of living and squeezing social benefits are some reasons behind social unrest in the major EU country.He cautioned that Bangladesh’s exports to France and some EU countries are likely to suffer as consumers may cut spending on consumer goods.Kazi Enayet Ullah, a successful Bangladeshi- France businessman, who has been in France since 1978 and a business turnover of millions of US dollars, said that he recently visited Bangladesh and handed over a memorandum to President Mirza Fakhrul  Islam Alamgir on the prospect of skilled manpower in EU countries.He said that some 50,000 Bangladeshis are living in France and some 8,000-10,000 Bangladeshis are likely to hold the French passports. As the Ukraine war is putting a burden on EU member countries, immigrants and non-immigrants, including Bangladeshis (not having proper documents) are likely to get lesser social benefits including housing, education, health.He said that Bangladesh should launch a massive political and social campaign against unregulated and illegal migration as EU countries passed a law under which illegal and undocumented migrants are likely to be retained in concentration camps.He said that EU countries are becoming stricter over the illegal and unregulated migration with rightwing politics gaining momentum in most EU countries.He said that the Presidential election will be held within the next 7/8 months and this social unrest is likely to be contained before the election .He said that right wing politics are gaining momentum in the EU countries and international politics are also behind this social unrest in France.Kazi Enayet Ullah, also Secretary General, All European Bangladesh Association (AEBA), said that  the growing popularity of far-right political movements and the economic downturn in Europe have compelled European countries to reconsider and modify their migration policies.It is noteworthy that the 27 member states of the European Union have moved towards a common policy framework on migration. In the past, migrants arriving in Europe through different routes—by sea, land, or air—could initiate asylum procedures in the country of arrival. Once the process began, many were eventually able to establish residence in one form or another.However, on 17 June 2026, the European Parliament in Strasbourg adopted legislation under which migrants seeking to enter Europe may have their asylum claims processed outside the EU or transferred to another designated country for assessment. Those whose claims are approved may subsequently be allowed to return to Europe, while those whose claims are rejected may be returned to their countries of origin, said Mr Kazi Enayet UllahAt the same time, Europe has a growing demand for skilled workers in a number of sectors, including construction, electricians, plumbers, welders, waiters, kitchen chefs, agriculture, and other occupations.Meanwhile, Bangladesh today urged the European Union (EU) to expand employment opportunities for Bangladeshi skilled workers and professionals through demand-driven legal migration pathways, while reaffirming its commitment to combating irregular migration and human trafficking, reports BSS State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam made the call when EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Magnus Brunner paid a courtesy call on her at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently.During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening cooperation on migration management, the return of irregular migrants, combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling, and promoting safe, orderly and regular migration.Shama urged the EU and its member states to establish practical, demand-driven and results-oriented labour mobility corridors to facilitate greater access for Bangladeshi skilled workers and professionals to European labour markets.She emphasised that expanding legal migration opportunities would help discourage irregular migration while creating mutually beneficial employment opportunities.The state minister also highlighted Bangladesh's adoption of the National Action Plan (NAP) 2026-2030 to implement the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).During the discussions, EU Commissioner Brunner presented the EU's Eastern Corridor Initiative, aimed at combating irregular migration to Europe through closer engagement with countries of origin, transit countries and other relevant stakeholders.Shama expressed Bangladesh's willingness to cooperate with the initiative and briefed the commissioner on measures being taken by the government to prevent irregular migration.These include initiatives to combat document fraud and dismantle criminal networks involved in facilitating irregular migration.The state minister stressed that addressing the root causes of irregular migration was essential alongside creating greater opportunities for safe and regular migration.Both sides acknowledged the importance of coordinated and comprehensive efforts to address migration-related challenges and agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation in this area.Shama also reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to strengthening its multifaceted partnership with the European Union, particularly through expanded trade and investment cooperation.EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller was present at the meeting.Both sides agreed to maintain regular dialogue and strengthen cooperation on issues of shared interest.Meanwhile, a high-level delegation of the European Union (EU) has met Mahdi Amin, Adviser to the Prime Minister and discussed sending workers from Bangladesh to EU countries in a regular, safe and legal manner.During the meeting, the delegation also focused on preventing irregular migration and human trafficking, and expanding employment opportunities for skilled workers in the European labour market…..The EU delegation was led by Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner at the meeting held this noon at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon.During the meeting, emphasis was placed on ensuring maximum transparency in the visa process. Discussions were also held on incorporating QR codes into educational certificates, bank statements and other financial documents to prevent forgery and increase acceptability.Besides, discussions were held on how expatriates living in Europe can easily send remittances to the country through legal channels, and how new employment opportunities can be created in the European labour market by sending quality-trained skilled workers from Bangladesh.The meeting also touched upon strengthening people-to-people ties through migration, simplifying the process of higher education for Bangladeshi students in various European countries, and transforming brain drain into brain circulation.Magnus Brunner said currently about five lakh Bangladeshis are legally residing in various countries of the European Union. He also said the EU is ready to provide all kinds of assistance in ensuring legal migration alongside suppressing illegal migration and human trafficking.Mahdi Amin, also Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, said after a long time, the country has returned to the democratic track through the assumption of office by a government elected by the direct votes of the people. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the current government is committed to ensuring regular, safe and legal migration, he added.He briefed the EU delegation on the current government's various policy reforms and development initiatives, and the introduction of the Family Card, Farmer Card and Expatriate Card.The EU delegation also included Director Henrik Nielsen and Cabinet Member Grigorios Delavekouras. EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, Deputy Head of Delegation Baiba Zarina, and a First Counsellor were also present at the meeting.