Bangladesh joins other countries in observing the International Migrants Day today with a call to protect rights of the migrants as they are playing an important role in financial progress across the world, reports BSS. President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina gave separate messages to mark the day that also calls for ensuring welfare of the migrants and their family members. In his message, President Abul Hamid said emigration and migrants are playing a significant role in the human civilisation.

Despite development of the emigration management, various criminal activities including human trafficking, violation of human rights of the labours, harassment, realising additional amount and forced labour are taking place in the emigration process in different countries, he said.

To face these challenges, the president said an integrated initiative is essential comprising of the governments of different countries, IOM, ILO and private organisations.

Terming the migrants as a 'helping force' in the economy of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said, "The economic activities of the country are being extended with the remittances sent by the migrants."

The migrants have significant contribution in enriching the foreign currency reserves, raising the per capita income, she added.