Bangladesh among top 5 sources of UK asylum claims

British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke said on Sunday that Bangladesh is currently among the top five countries of origin for asylum seekers in the UK, but only a small proportion of recent applications from Bangladesh have been approved.
“Bangladesh is among the top five countries of origin for asylum applicants in the UK, but only a small number of recent applications from Bangladesh have been approved,” she said during a meeting with Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury at the ministry. 
She said rejected applicants were being returned to their countries of origin. Those who voluntarily return to Bangladesh could receive up to £3,000 in financial assistance for reintegration, she said, adding that the support would not apply to those deported through legal procedures.  During the meeting, Dhaka and London agreed to step up joint efforts to protect migrant workers from exploitation, tackle irregular migration and human trafficking, and expand opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi workers in overseas labour markets, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.
Ariful Haque Choudhury reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring safe and decent jobs for Bangladeshi migrant workers while safeguarding their rights, dignity and overall welfare.
He sought British assistance in English-language, technical and vocational training to equip Bangladeshi workers with skills tailored to the demands of the UK labour market.
The minister also urged the UK to support the upgrading of existing technical training centres and Institutes of Marine Technology, particularly to enhance training in green and digital skills.
Highlighting the importance of sustainable reintegration of returnee migrants, Ariful Haque Choudhury stressed the need to continue the Reintegration and Advancement of Skills and Employment (RAISE) project, jointly supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the International Labour Organization and the World Bank.
The British High Commissioner expressed the UK’s interest in partnering with Bangladesh to develop skilled workers in line with changing demands in international labour markets.
She also stressed the need for safe, regular and affordable labour migration from Bangladesh, saying the UK was prepared to strengthen cooperation with Dhaka to improve migration governance and management.
State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque, Justice and Home Affairs Counsellor at the British High Commission Ryan Duncanson, and senior officials from the ministry were also present at the meeting.