Foreign affairs parliamentary committee proposes hotlines for female migrants and education diplomacy

TBM Report ||

Bangladesh foreign missions are set to introduce dedicated emergency hotlines for female migrant workers alongside a specialized “education diplomacy” service to support expatriates and students abroad. The decision came during the inaugural meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, held at the Jatiya Sangshad Bhaban.

Chaired by Johrat Adiba Chowdhury, MP, the meeting reviewed the foreign ministry’s performance over the past six months and evaluated its strategic roadmap for the next 180 days. Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman attended as a special invitee, alongside State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayed Islam and other parliamentary committee members.

During the session, committee members highlighted the need to strengthen protection measures for female expatriates while broadening educational outreach abroad. Both the Foreign Minister and the State Minister endorsed proposals to launch a round-the-clock emergency helpline at Bangladesh missions and establish education-focused diplomatic initiatives.

The committee unanimously passed a resolution congratulating Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman on his election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Members noted that this diplomatic milestone, alongside the Prime Minister’s recent official visits to Malaysia and China, reflects growing international confidence in Bangladesh’s foreign policy leadership.

The meeting also selected irregular migration to the United Arab Emirates and other destination countries as a top agenda item for detailed discussion in its next session. Senior officials, including foreign ministry secretaries and parliamentary secretariat personnel, participated in the deliberations.