State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque on Thursday said the government will take stern measures to stop the dangerous trend of Bangladeshis attempting to reach Europe and other countries through illegal sea routes.

"This trend of going abroad through sea routes must be stopped at any cost. The government will take action against those who are pushing young people towards death through risky, irregular migration," the state minister said.

He called for greater public awareness as well as more proactive measures by law enforcement agencies to curb the menace.

He made the remarks as the chief guest at a national workshop titled "From Return to Rise: Stories of Resilience and Reintegration" organised by BRAC's Migration Programme at a city hotel.

Acknowledging the invaluable contribution of migrant workers, Nurul Haque said that while thousands of crores of taka are wasted and embezzled within the state, it is the hard-earned remittances of migrants that keep the national economy robust. He said the government is committed to taking sustainable initiatives that reintegrate and rehabilitate returnee migrants.

On the issue of accountability in the recruitment sector, the state minister said punitive policy action must be taken against agencies involved in unethical practices. He also stressed the need to ensure quality-based grading and accountability in BAIRA membership rather than simply increasing numbers.

BRAC Chairperson Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, who presided over the event, said coordinated efforts between government and non-government organisations are essential for ensuring safe migration and the welfare of returnees, as the challenges are multi-dimensional.

Speaking as a special guest, National Skills Development Authority Executive Chairman Dr. Nazneen Kawsar Chowdhury said sending skilled workers based on international labour market demand and ensuring sustainable reintegration of returnees are critically important.

Ministry Secretary Md. Mokhtar Ahmed said many returnee migrants come home with shattered dreams and deep psychological wounds. He stressed that they must receive psychosocial and livelihood support after their return, calling the PRATYASHA project's experience an inspiring model.

EU Counsellor Iurate Smalskyte Merville said new approaches and solutions must be found to reduce irregular migration from Bangladesh, urging all stakeholders to work together to encourage legal pathways for working abroad.

The workshop showcased the nationwide achievements of the "Improved Sustainable Reintegration of Bangladeshi Returnee Migrants (PRATYASHA-2)" project, jointly funded by the European Union and BRAC. Two returnee migrants, Selina Begum and Sohel Rana, also shared their personal reintegration experiences at the event.

Shariful Islam Hasan, associate director of BRAC, presented the keynote paper while Safi Rahman Khan, director of BRAC, delivered the welcome address.

Among others, the event was also attended by Saiful Huq Chowdhury, additional secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment; Md. Asaduzzaman, director general of the Wage Earners' Welfare Board; and Lokman Hossain, director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with representatives from various national and international organizations.