Dhaka: Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen disclosed that the Italian government has agreed to take Bangladeshi agricultural workers to their country.
He made the remarks in a statement on Monday (October 12) night.
"Good news," the foreign minister said in a statement. At our request, the Italian government has finally agreed to include Bangladesh in its agricultural labor program.
When Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had met the Italian Prime Minister in Rome this year, she requested that Bangladesh be included in Italy's agricultural labor program. The Italian government honored her request and gave the opportunity to Bangladeshi nationals, the minister said.
According to foreign ministry sources, in 1970, about 23 percent of Italy's population was involved in agriculture. However, at present it has come down to less than 5 percent. As a result, the country is emphasizing on the recruitment of foreign workers in the agricultural sector.
At one time seasonal workers from Bangladesh used to go to Italy. Later, due to non-return of these workers to the country, Italy stopped taking workers from Bangladesh. Now, due to the labor crisis, the government of Italy is considering the proposal to take seasonal agricultural workers from Bangladesh.