BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Newsletter 6th Year of Publication

BASUG (Diaspora and Development)

(A mouthpiece of & Asian Diaspora in the Netherlands) July 2011

Domestic Workers gets ILO recognition

International Labour Organization (ILO) on will come under pressure from the June 17 adopted a new Convention that will global community, if it is learnt. enable domestic workers to enjoy rights and Terming it a historic event, ILO Direc- benefits available to other workers. The stan- tor General Juan Somavia, said “We are dards in the new ILO convention supported by moving the standard system of the ILO “Together we Bangladesh in the International Labour Confer- into the informal economy for the first ence (June 1-17) in Geneva include reasonable time which is a major breakthrough”. can make the working hours and a weekly break of at least 24 consecutive hours. “Any country world a better Millions of domestic workers contribute to the violating labour rights households and the labour market, but remain will come under place to live outside the scope of labour and social protec- pressure from the tion. It also says the employee must have clear global community, if in” information on job's terms and conditions, it is learnt” right to freedom of association and collective bargaining, said ILO in its statement yesterday. The ILO member countries will ratify it and “Bringing the domestic workers into Inside this issue: consequently enact new national laws or add the fold of our values is a strong move chapters in the laws recognising the domestic for every worker who aspires for a workers. Any country violating labour rights decent job,” Somavia said. Cont’d pg 5 Domestic Workers 1 gets ILO recognition BASUG in Sri Lanka: EC-UN JMDI 1 EC-UN JMDI Remittance Project Ends: Targets achieved Remittance Project Ends: Targets achieved The 18-months long pro- vided technical assistance European countries. The 3 ject, „leveraging remit- to the project. main objectives of the train- ing were to make migrants Intimate partner tances for socio-economic Beneficiaries: The num- and their family members violence development in Sri Lanka‟ ber of direct beneficiaries aware about how to trans- Domestic Violence 3 powered by EC-UN Joint of the fer remit- still a grave concern Initiative on Migration and project tances Development (JMDI) in Sri through Lanka ended successfully in formal Diaspora Bond to be 6 was March 2011, two months channel, launched 805, opportu- later of the schedule time. while it nities It was a joint initiative of was 205 available Project-Remittances 7 BASUG, INAFI Bangladesh in at home if for Community De- and SEEDS of Sri Lanka. Europe. remit- velopment BASUG was the lead part- There tances are were BASUG, TNU & 10 ner of the whole project. sent INAFI on TV Talk 886 indirect beneficiaries through formal channel, BASUG implemented the show on Remittance in Sri Lanka and 410 in investment opportunities of project in four European Europe. A total of 12 finan- remittances in Sri Lanka etc. Tommy Miah - 13 countries (The Nether- cial literacy trainings were SEEDS also organised 3 ad- a success story of a lands, Italy, France and organised by SEEDS in Sri vocacy workshops and 30 Bangladeshi expat Germany), SEEDS in Sri Lanka while BASUG organ- trainings (10 Enter- ised 4 trainings in four Lanka and INAFI Asia pro- prise ...continued on page 2 BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 2

Women: The Bangladesh Perspective by Ms. Runa Laila th Bangladesh is the 8 most health status did not yet ernment administrative level) populous country in the translate into women‟s election of 1997 is a milestone world. According to recent employment opportunities. in the history of political repre- estimates, the population One possible explanation sentation of women in Bangla- of Bangladesh ranges be- could be that the gender desh. In 1997 through an act, tween 150 to 164 million stereotype education sys- the government reserved three with a 1,5% population tem prepares women to seats for women in the union growth rate annually. be better mothers or (Ms.Runa Laila, Board Women constitute half of wives rather than encour- “Women are still under the total population in aging them for employ- Member of BASUG is -represented as Assistant professor of Bangladesh. The life expec- ment, which ofcourse var- compared to men in tancy at birth is 63 years ies amongst women in the Department of the national Women and Gender for both males and fe- different social classes. parliament and in the males. studies, University of The labor force participa- local government.” , Bangladesh. Bangladesh is one of the tion of women still remains poorest countries in the She is currently a PhD low at about 26%. A large parishad where women mem- Fellow at the world, where gross na- number of women‟s em- bers are elected from each of International Institute tional income is $580 per ployment opportunities the three respective wards. of Social Studies of person per year. Despite have been created in the Apart from the reserved seats Erasmus University, low levels of per capita export garment industry women can also contest for any the Netherlands) income, Bangladesh has since the 80s. Eighty per- of the general seats. achieved dramatic im- cent of the 1,4 million gar- provements in increasing ment workers are women. the level of girl‟s education However, only a small frac- and in reducing the mater- tion of women work in the ...... continued from page 1 BASUG in Sri Lanka: nal mortality rate within a formal sector. In the re- relatively short period of cent years, about 15 per- management, 10 Basic Book-keeping and accounting and time. cent of government service 10 Business Development Services). The enrollment in primary holders are women and education has increased Sustainability: The most important success story of the among them only 2 per- project is that it has been progressing towards sustainabil- from 55% in 1988 to 97% cent are in senior posi- in 2010, achieving gender ity. The project has developed partnership with non-bank tions. financial institutions like LOLC Limited, Central Finance parity in primary and sec- Women are also lagging ondary level of education. Limited and behind in terms of political SEEDS- Moreover, maternal deaths participation. (Although have reduced significantly Microfinance. the highest constitutional LOLC has of- over the years. While in position in Bangladesh, that 2001, 322 of every 100,000 fered financial of the prime minister, is products to 410 pregnant women in Bangla- held by women in consecu- desh died during pregnancy target clients. tive terms). However, this LOLC will con- and childbirth, in 2010, prominent position is not only 194 died, which is a tinue to offer reflected throughout every financial literacy 40% decline in 9 years. In layer of public and political addition, the total fertility trainings at its realm. Women are still own cost. LOLC rate of women reduced under-represented as com- significantly from 6,3 in will also con- pared to men in the na- tinue to offer financial products to the target clients. A 1970 to 2,8 in 2010. tional parliament and in the Despite those significant total of 113 target clients have already availed financial local government. Notable services specially credit services from 3 financial institu- progresses in terms of progress has been achieved girl‟s education, increase in tions such as LOLC Limited, Central Finance Limited and in the provision of re- SEEDS-Microfinance in Sri Lanka. These financial institu- life expectancy and less served seats to ensure child bearing burden on tions will continue to offer their financial products and women's political participa- services to the target clients of the project and in future women, still a paradox in tion in the national parlia- terms of gender equality ment and in the local gov- they will cover more migrants‟ families. remains. Increases in ernment. The Union A total of 205 Sri Lankan migrants participated in the women‟s education and Parishad (the lowest gov- workshops organised by BASUG in ....continued on page 5 BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 3

Domestic Violence still a grave concern lence includes acts of Women‟s situation still nating domestic violence vide women with equal physical aggression, psy- appears to be grim in not only requires govern- rights in all matters con- chological abuse, forced Bangladesh. Domestic vio- ment intervention, but also cerning marriage, divorce, intercourse and other lence remains a serious considerable long term custody, maintenance and forms of sexual coercion, human rights concern. Do- cultural and attitudinal inheritance. Once discrimi- and various controlling mestic violence resulting change. nation within the family behaviours such as isolat- from dowry disputes The government of Bangla- will disappear, it will ing a person from family ranges from physical tor- desh has taken a “welfarist gradually translate in to the and friends or restricting ture to sustained injuries, approach” up to now, to broader society. access to information and acid attack, suicide and improve the situation of assistance. It may occur at killing. One in two women women. Women are any moment at any place, experience physical vio- viewed as the beneficiaries no matter what kind of Intimate partner violence lence at home. The Gov- of the development inter- social, economical or edu- ernment has enacted sev- ventions through providing Tanbira Talukder cational background a eral laws prohibiting cer- access to education and woman has. Today I‟m tain forms of violence health services or legal aid. going to point out not only against women. Such as the Few women might have the reasons of this social Anti-Dowry Prohibition also gained economic em- disease but also going to Act of 1980; the Cruelty powerment to some ex- mention the result of this to Women Law of 1983; tent through income gen- violation from the re- the Women and Children erating activities due to searcher‟s corner. Repression Prevention Act micro-credit programs or of 1995; the Women and other work in the formal THE EXTENT OF THE Children Repression Pre- and informal sectors. PROBLEM: Intimate vention Act of 2000; the However, women are (Tanbira Talukder, M.Com did partner violence is increas- Acid Crime Prevention Act never considered as the her post graduation degree in ingly seen as an important and the Acid Control Act, main breadwinner in the finance. She is an ardent secular public health problem. In 48 population-based sur- both of 2002. family. Women are mainly humanist. An active member of portrayed as mothers and BASUG, Tanbira designed and veys from around the Despite these legal meas- world, 10-69% of women ures, Bangladesh ranks wives and are associated presented the cultural program with family, marriage and (first ever Bangladeshi fashion are reported to have been fourth among the world's physically assaulted by an nations with respect to reproduction. show in the Netherlands) of BASUG in 2007 which was intimate male partner at violence against women, Bangladesh government is highly appreciated by all. She is some point in their lives. In mentioned by Janet E. Jack- a signatory to the Conven- a regular contributor to Mukto- large national studies, the son, the former deputy tion on the Elimination of mona, a web meeting point of range is between 10-34%. representative of the All Forms of Discrimina- intellectuals, writers and social Most victims of physical United Nations Population tion Against Women aggression are subjected to Fund (UNFPA) in Bangla- (CEDAW). However, the workers. A good number of her intellectual and thought provok- multiple acts of violence desh. According to Jack- government still has a res- over extended periods of son, “sixty-five per cent of ervation on certain acts, ing articles have been published time. Bangladeshi males think it which relates to women in different reputed dailies and is justifiable to beat up under family law / Sharia weeklies in Bangladesh) Physical violence in inti- their wives, 38 percent law (which is based on In recent past I had written mate relationships is often have no clear idea what religious interpretation) over acid throwing, an acute accompanied by psycho- constitutes physical vio- that deals with marriage, problem in Bangladesh. Today logical abuse and in a third lence and 40 percent sup- divorce, custody, mainte- I‟m going to put some light on to over a half of cases by port keeping women so- nance, and inheritance. The the most discussed issue of sexual violence. Partner cially dormant (Daily Star core of the family law is recent violence on Rumana violence also accounts for 14 Aug. 2003)”. based on a subordinate Manzur, a Dhaka University a significant number of position of women in the teacher, by her husband, deaths among women. It remains a telling fact that Studies from a range of the government of Bangla- family. By maintaining the Hasan Syed, which the social reservation on the family scientists term as Intimate countries show that 40- desh doesn't have a sophis- 70% of female murder ticated law enforcement law the government is sus- partner violence (IPV). One victims were killed by their and implementation taining traditional gender of the most common forms of inequality. To ensure husband or boyfriend, of- mechanism to protect violence against women is ten during an ongoing abu- women against all kinds of women’s full participation that it is committed by the violence. However, it goes in all spheres of life, the husband or the intimate male sive relationship. first step would be to pro- without saying that elimi- partner. Intimate partner vio- (....continued on page 5) BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 4

Climate migration Conference in Bonn 21-23 July: More challenges ahead for Bangladesh - BASUG joins: abnormal floods, when combined with high population growth, weak governance struc- tures, and widespread poverty, could worsen The 1st International ties”. BASUG Advisor intensity of changes in the socioeconomic Conference on “Climate and Director, Projects, the climatic situations at situation in Bangladesh change effects and En- Dr. Ahmed Ziauddin will the regional and local and undermine the ca- ergy development of chair one of the sessions. level may facilitate the pacity of communities Bangladesh” (ICCEB) will development of new to adapt," the study be held at the University semi-urban areas that said. of Bonn Germany on 21- Bangladesh Perspec- will provide resettlement 23 July, 2011. The con- tive - ADB options to displaced In addition, the emigra- ference is being jointly Bangladesh will face populations," the ADB tion of relatively well- organized by BSEZ and mounting challenge of study said. The study educated or wealthy BEN-Germany, in asso- resettling and rehabilitat- further said, inundation Bangladeshis has been ciation with the Universi- ing the people displaced due to sea-level rise, blamed for undermining ties of Bonn, Cologne by climate change, says landlessness and loss of the nation's develop- ment. That brain drain, and Heidelberg. an Asian Development livelihood will encourage Bank study recently. The increased migration from generally to more- According to the organ- developed counties, isers, the objective of country is already at high both rural and other risk of catastrophic envi- densely populated urban combined with percep- organizing this event is tions of environmental to bring together ex- ronmental hazards and regions such as Dhaka floods from sea surges, and Chittagong to these risk, is likely to exacer- perts and representa- bate that trend. The river flow, rainfall and new urban centres. tives from different pro- ADB study said there fessions, such as scien- coastal and riverbank Careful planning and in- erosion that are likely to might be particular tific academics, experts frastructure develop- cases where interna- in medicine and health, force more people from ment at the institutional their home. tional resettlement will technology experts, so- level may further en- be necessary, for exam- Those together with cial and cultural activists, courage displaced com- ple where low-lying economic factors are experts from print and munities to settle in islands states do not causing rural-urban and electronic media, busi- these new semi-urban offer any potential re- international migration, ness entrepreneurs and areas rather than exacer- settlement sites within said the study titled government policymak- bate socioeconomic and national boundaries. “Climate Change and ers from both Bangla- environmental pressure Given the specific chal- Migration in Asia and the desh and donor coun- on existing mega cities. lenges of international Pacific” finalised in 2011. tries and discuss scien- Increasing drying in win- forced migration due to The existing patterns tific matters as well as ters and resulting water climate change, it is include rural-urban mi- development policies and stress for agriculture as important to have in gration, mainly to the come up with some well as home use will place the international mega cities, cross-border guidelines in this regard. further increase internal institutional capacity, migration to India, migra- displacement, primarily systems of governance, tion of semi-skilled la- from rural to urban re- funding arrangements, BASUG bourers to the Southeast gions. and programmes to BASUG chairman, Bikash Asian and Middle East facilitate and support Chowdhury Barua will Asian countries and well- development of mobil- present a paper in the educated peoples' migra- Weak Governance, ity as an adaptation and, conference, titled tion to the developed High population in extreme cases, set- “Climate Change and countries. "The increasing likeli- tlement, said the study. Diaspora Organizations: "Greater frequency and hood and impact of Role and Responsibili- BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 5

……..continued from page 2 BASUG in Sri Lanka: “The workshops Europe. The workshops helped the Sri Lankan helped the Sri migrants enhance their knowledge and skills on Lankan migrants formal channel of remittances transfer and investment of remittances in different financial enhance their products. It is assumed that at least 40% (82 knowledge and migrants) have been sending remittances skills on formal through formal channel. It is indeed very diffi- cult to confirm the figure but based on the channel of information while meeting with the Sri Lankan remittances migrants after the training, it is assumed that at least 40% (82 migrants) of them have been transfer and sending remittances through formal channel. investment of Private sector money transfer organization like remittances in Money2Money came forward with money transfer and other financial services which enhanced access to information of Sri Lankan migrants in Italy. different financial products. “

……..Continued from page 4 - Intimate partner violence THE CONSEQUENCES OF INTIMATE PARTNER hold surveys were done between 2000 and 2003. One VIOLENCE: Violence by an intimate partner has been linked woman aged 15-49 years was randomly selected from to many immediate and long-term health outcomes, including: each sampled household. Those who had ever had a Physical injury, gastrointestinal disorders, chronic pain syn- male partner were asked about their experiences of dromes, depression and suicidal behaviour. Partner violence physically and sexually violent acts. They performed mul- also affects reproductive health and can lead to gynaecological tivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of disorders, unwanted pregnancy, premature labour and birth, physical and/or sexual partner violence within the past as well as sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. On 12 months. average, victims of partner violence experience more opera- Despite wide variations in the prevalence of IPV, many tive surgeries, visits to doctors and hospital stays throughout factors affected IPV risk similarly across sites. Secondary their lives than those without a history of abuse. Although education, high socio economic status, and formal mar- partner violence does not affect a woman‟s overall probability riage offered protection, while alcohol abuse, cohabita- of being employed, it can affect a woman's earnings, job per- tion, young age, attitudes supportive of wife beating, hav- formance and her ability to keep a job. ing outside sexual partners, experiencing childhood Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a global pub- abuse, growing up with domestic violence, and experi- lic health and human rights concern. Despite a growing body encing or perpetrating other forms of violence in adult- of research into risk factors for IPV, methodological differ- hood, increased the risk of IPV. The strength of the as- ences limit the extent to which comparisons can be made sociation was greatest when both the woman and her between studies. Researchers of WHO (World Health Or- partner had the risk factor. IPV prevention programs ganization) used data from ten countries included in the should increase focus on transforming gender norms and WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic attitudes, addressing childhood abuse, and reducing Violence to identify factors that are consistently associated harmful drinking. Development initiatives to improve with abuse across sites, in order to inform the design of IPV access to education for girls and boys may also have an prevention programs. Standardized population-based house- important role in violence prevention. 03.07.2011

Cont’d from pg 1 Domestic workers (BANGLADESH SCENARIO) Cont’d from pg 1 Domestic workers (200,000 Around 20 lakh domestic workers are currently working Bangladeshi female workers abroad) across Bangladesh. In Dhaka alone, the capital city of Bangla- desh, there are 4.25 lakh domestic workers, says an ILO- About two lakh Bangladeshi female migrants work Unicef survey. Bangladesh's labour ministry is already drafting abroad, mainly in the Arab countries where reports of a policy which will officially recognise domestic workers as exploitation are common. Recent surveys on 117 of ILO formal labourers and will entitle them to the benefits received member countries suggest the number of domestic by industrial workers. The labour rights activists said the con- workers is at least 53 million. However, experts say it vention is significant for Bangladesh, as a good number of could be a100 million. In developing countries, they Bangladeshis who work abroad as domestic workers are de- make up at least 4 to 12 per cent of wage employment, nied of many fundamental rights as they are not recognised by 83 percent of them being women and migrants. domestic labour laws of those countries. BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 6

Diaspora Bond to be launched: Decline in Remittance inflow in Bangladesh Food security and Freedom Bangladesh has expressed tries, simplifying money fresh recruitments from concern over the decline drawing arrangements, Bangladesh. for all in remittance flow and and to reduce transfer “We need to look for The issue of food shortage has taken up an 11-point fee and exchange rate new destinations, like and food price increase measure, including issu- margins. Latin American, African recently has drawn atten- ance of bonds and pro- tion from national and Diaspora Bond and European countries,” posal for a welfare fund, he said, adding that train- world leaders. The atten- for the returnee workers. The finance ministry has ing the workers is neces- tion has mainly been fo- asked the treasury and It is learnt that inward sary to tap European cused on its adverse im- loan management depart- pacts on consumers, espe- remittance growth fell in markets. Executive direc- ment to take immediate cially those in developing May, mainly due to the tor of Centre for Policy steps to launch a Dias- Dialogue, suggested im- countries who spend most ongoing unrest in the pora Bond under Bangla- of their income on food. Middle East and North mediate measures to desh Infrastructure Fi- finalise the proposed Importing food to satisfy Africa, which has sent short-term shortages has nance Fund Ltd (BIFFL). comprehensive migration back thousands of mi- usually been chosen as the The Board of Investment policy, the Overseas Em- grant workers in the past (BoI) is also being asked most feasible option be- few months. “The decline ployment Act 2011, and cause people can not wait to offer Non-Resident to ensure strict compli- in remittance inflow is a Bangladeshis (NRB) the for harvests to arrive in matter of concern, be- ance with the provisions four months time. The same incentives to equity by the recruitment agen- cause it plays an impor- investment, which it of- greater the demand for tant role in balance of cies. imported food, the higher fers to foreign investors. payment, and, finally, in The decline in remittance international food prices macro-economic stabil- Remittance growth in the growth has put a pres- will be. first 11 months of the ity,” a letter, issued by sure on balance of pay- Effective food distribu- the ministry to the minis- current fiscal year stood ments. In the first seven tion needed in Bangla- at 5.06%. During the July- tries noted in Dhaka. months of the current desh May period, Bangladesh fiscal year, current ac- In May, migrant workers received $10.6bn in re- If food prices are allowed remitted $993.25mn, count balance surplus has to increase according to mittances, up from dropped 79%, compared down from $1.97bn a $10.09bn in the same market mechanisms, there to the same period of the will be a significant number month back, registering a period, during the previ- last fiscal year. The de- of poor families facing star- 0.9% fall. ous fiscal year. Remit- cline in remittance vation, as was the case in Remittances, however, tance growth started growth may create pres- Bangladesh in 1943, when grew 9.9% in May, com- slowing down due to a sure on the foreign ex- more than a million people pared to the same month significant decrease in the change reserve. Foreign died. Amartya Sen, the No- last year, when it was net outflow of migrant currency reserves stood ble laureate proved that $903.05mn, according to workers over the past at $10.64bn yesterday, Bangladesh‟s famine at that central Bangladesh Bank year-and-a-half. The num- which is equivalent to the time was not a result of statistics, released in ber of workers going import bill of three-and- insufficient food supplies, Dhaka recently. The min- abroad, in the first 11 half months, officials but because of the inability istry has asked the central months, dropped 10.9%, feared. Besides, due to of poor consumers to buy bank to reduce the gap compared to the same the pressure on the bal- the food. Following Sen‟s argument, in order to avoid between inter-bank and period, last year. Also, a ance of payment, the such bad experiences, a open-market currency number of migrant work- value of Bangladesh cur- short-term solution is to rates, and to reduce real ers returned home, fol- rency taka is under pres- appreciation of exchange lowing political unrest in develop efficient and effec- sure, and it is getting de- tive food distribution and rate. It also asked the Arab nations, such as, valued everyday. As a Central, commercial Egypt, Libya, Bahrain and delivery systems under a result, import costs are rationing mechanism. banks and other financial Yemen. The number of increasing and making institutions to set more outgoing workers also ...... continued on page 9 inflation rise. currency exchange dropped, as some Gulf houses at source coun- countries have stopped BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 7

Field visit to Bangladesh: Project-Remittances for Community Development (RfCD) in progress As a part of the on-going project on Overall, the participants of the work- Manusher Jonno Foundation, ASA, “Remittances for Community De- shops, as well as the local organiza- Ghasful, GUK, PBK, Proshika, and velopment” (RfCD), BASUG and tions and individuals active in the field RMMRU etc.

The Network University/Triple L of Migration & Development, received Dr. Atiur Rahman, Governor, travelled to Bangladesh in early May the findings with great enthusiasm. It Bangladesh Bank, which is the Cen- this year to conduct one major soon became clear that many repre- tral Bank of Bangladesh speaking on conference and two stakeholders sentatives and organizations see the the opening session as chief guest meetings with different develop- potential of remittances as more than said that remittance has been a key ment stakeholders in Bangladesh serving individuals, but as having the driver of Bangladesh economy con- and visit a number of development potential of serving the wider commu- stituting about 10% of the GDP, initiatives by the migrants. In be- nity in Bangladesh through RfCD initia- which was merely 2% in 2000. He tween the conference and the tives. While the realization exists that said, in past five years, remittance stakeholders meetings, the partners remittances can have a greater impact grew at a phenomenal rate of 23%, had the opportunity to speak to a on development in Bangladesh, most taking Bangladesh to 7th highest number of local development or- stakeholders still struggled with finding remittance recipient country. He ganizations and experts, active in suitable means for the practical impli- said, remittance has kept a positive the field of migration & develop- cation of such potential. balance for Bangladesh, despite ment, visit several projects related The conference held at BRAC Inn cen- global depression. He acknowl- to remittances and were able to tre on 10 May was attended by 121 edged that NRBs (Non Resident speak to a number of migrant fami- participants. Prominent guests who Bangladeshis) find difficult to chan- lies. The field visit offered the part- attended the conference were among nel to send remittance, though they ners the opportunity to share their others, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, are showing interest to investment findings on RfCD so far, and ex- Dr. Atiur Rahman, Director General in large-scale projects. He then change information on the possibili- of NGO Affairs Bureau of Bangladesh outlined number of areas where ties for the widespread practice of Government, Mr. Nurun Nabi Taluk- migrants can invest such as energy, RfCD initiatives in Bangladesh. der, representatives from leading service, tourism and others. NGOs such as BRAC, WARBE, He ...... continued on page 8 BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 8

(...... continued from page 7 Field visit to Bangladesh: Project-Remittances for Community Development (RfCD) in progress accepted that there are lots of donor organization said that her organi- development projects and economic challenges in such ventures but he zation supports initiatives on safe migra- ventures at the community level. Ac- urged to turn challenges to oppor- tion and returnee migrants as well as tive involvement by the government tunities.He referred to newly campaign and advocacy. She said, it‟s the was crucial according to the partici- launched NRB Bank intended to government who has to create an ena- pants to enable a positive policy envi- provide pre-departure funds, and bling environment and identify obstacles. ronment for investment, for in- Mobile Banking, which will ease to she shared an idea of a leading econo- creased information sharing of op- remit. He also referred to E- mist of the country, to undertake a pilot portunities with migrants, and for Payment, which is being worked project setting up of an migrants‟ organi- creating pre-departure programmes out. zation by the migrant workers to do to strengthen the capacities of mi- Mr. Nurun Nabi Talukdar, Direc- everything from searching markets, grants at an early stage. tor General, NGO Affair Bureau of bringing job offers, selecting suitable Hobiganj candidates, providing support to depart- Prime Minister‟s Office, who was The meeting was held at a local res- ing migrant including return and resettle- the chief guest at the second ses- taurant in Hobiganj. Representatives ment. sion of the day said, remittances form different stakeholders such as are main actors of change and Chittagong teachers, lawyers, journalists, local urged not to waste it. He re- The workshop in Chittagong on 4 May council members, bankers, members minded of responsibility of the at Hotel Tower Inn was attended by 46 of migrant families, repatriates and state and also of the NGOs to act participants from different sectors. also government officials took part in transparently. There were two presentations- one fo- the meeting. cused on inspiring global practices of The opening session was also ad- Hobiganj Upazilla Chairman, Mr. RfCD schemes by Ms. Daniëlle de Win- dressed by Project Coordinator of Abidur Rahman in his speech lauded ter, while the second presentation was TNU/Triple L Danielle de Winter, such initiative of BASUG and assured given by Mohammad Abul Bashar, an BASUG advisor and Director, Pro- that the local government administra- assistant professor at the University of jects, Dr. Ahmed Ziauddin, Chair- tion would provide all possible sup- Chittagong. The second presentation man Bikash Chowdhury, Executive port to initiatives for community de- focused on the use of remittances in two Director of INAFI Asia, Atiqun velopment with the hard-earned areas of Chittagong district. Nabi, In Business Session of the money of the migrants. He thanked Conference, Mr. Rashed Al Hasan, The general consensus among the par- the organizers of the project for such Project Manager (Microfinance & ticipants was construed around the ne- initiative. Dr. Ahmed Ziauddin in his Remittances), INAFI Bangladesh cessity of an enabling environment that presentation gave the participants a presented research findings on would entice migrants to invest (more) view of the efforts/initiatives being Bangladesh experience of remit- in development activities in Bangladesh. taken by the migrants or their family tance for community development. While participants realized that migrants members, which contribute to com- Mrs. Rina Roy, Director (Rights), should not be expected to be involved in munity development in many coun- Manusher Jonno, a leading local large-scale projects, they could support tries across the world. BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 9

WARBE and BASUG sign MOU WARBE Development Foundation, a leading migrants‟ rights organization of Bangladesh and BASUG, the Netherlands-based Diaspora organization have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a simple cere- mony at BASUG office in the Hague. The MoU was signed by WARBE Chair- man, Syed Saiful Haque and BASUG Chairman, Bikash Chowdhury Barua. BASUG Board members, M.M.R. Monowar and Nityendu Barua were present during the signing of the MoU. Although the MoU was signed recently, both the parties worked together in (Photo: Heads of BASUG and WARBE are signing the MoU at BASUG office on 25 June 2011. M.M.R. Monowar, Board member of BASUG is also seen) Bangladesh in the field of migration and remittance in 2009. Earlier, in May this year Chairman of BASUG and Dr. Ahmed Ziauddin, Advisor and Director, Projects of BASUG held a meeting with WARBE Chairman and other officials at WARBE office in Dhaka. The signing of the MoU is the follow- up of that meeting.

…...continued from page 6 Food security and Freedom for all

In a rationing model when foods are in deficit then, for example, creating an orderly and just house- hold line will ensure that everybody receives an equal amount of food. However, when food is abun- dant then the households can choose food according to their preferences, in an orderly market. A disorderly market refers to a situation such as the famine that struck Bangladesh in 1943. Abundance of food is better and preferable. And investment in agriculture and food systems is the minimum we must do to ensure an abundance of food in the future. We can learn from the experi- ences of developed countries such as the US or European Union. Food abundance in those countries not only reflects functions of land or technology availability. One of the most important strategic fac- tors is also laws and regulations behind the supply of food. In the US, the basic institution created by President Abraham Lincoln, the Homestead Act of 1862, was responsible for agricultural land distri- bution to farmers, and the Morrill Act of 1862 was responsible for the application of science and technology, through Land Grant University systems, and the United States Department of Agricul- ture that was formed to draft and implement agricultural policies for the best interest of farmers. An abundance of food in developed countries is a result of a broader and deeper conceptualization of the meaning of food security. Food security is understood to be a kind of public good, and food insecurity is a sort of public bad. Therefore, the approximate cost (price) of famine is equivalent to the amount the public is willing to pay to avoid famine. Agricultural subsidies that go to farmers in developed countries can be viewed as the cost borne by all consumers to avoid hunger or famine. (courtesy-Agus Pakpahan, Jakarta) BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 10

Doc Film on “Remittance for Community Development”

BASUG in collaboration with its partner, The Network University/Triple L is currently working on a Documentary film on alternative investment schemes of migrants for the community development mainly to establish „ownership‟ and sensitization. Oxfam Novib is financing the making of the film. In this connection, Dr. Ahmed Ziauddin and Bikash Chowdhury Barua of BASUG and Danielle de Winter of TNU/Triple L had separate meetings with the film maker, Arun Chowdhuri and BASUG‟s local part- ner in Bangladesh, INAFI in Dhaka in mid-May 2011. Film maker Arun Chowdhuri has now been visit- ing London to make the film. This will be the 2nd Documentary film of BASUG. The first one was on Remittances, powered by Oxfam Novib in 2009.

BASUG, TNU & INAFI on TV Talk show on Remittance

Following the successful holding of the conference on Remittance in Dhaka on 10 May 2011 at BRAC Inn auditorium and wide print and electronic media publicity, members of BASUG and its partner or- ganizations, Triple L (TNU) and INAFI Asia were invited by the leading TV channel of Bangladesh (NTV) for a talk show on 14 May. Danielle de Winter of Triple L/TNU, Rashed Al Hasan of INAFI Asia and Bikash Chowdhury Barua of BASUG took part in the talk show which lasted for 35 minutes. Zahi- rul Alam was the moderator of the show. The show was telecast both from Dhaka and London. The subjects of the discussion centered on the initiative of BASUG and TNU on Remittances for commu- nity development, role of the policy makers, role of women etc. Media personality, Zahirul Alam was the moderator of the show.

Visit to Bangladeshi NGOs BASUG, Triple L leaders visited a number of NGOs in Dhaka, Chittagong and Hobiganj during their two weeks stay in Bangladesh in connection with the on-going project, Remittances for Community Development (RfCD). They discussed the possible collaboration in future on development areas. The organizations which were visited included, WARBE, INAFI Asia, Endeavour- all in Dhaka, Everbright Foundation, YPSA (Young Power in Social Action) and National Dialogue Foundation (NDF)- in Chit- tagong. They also visited Endeavour head office in Hobiganj.

Meetings with Netherlands Embassy Representatives from BASUG and TNY/Triple L had two separate meetings with the Netherlands em- bassy officials in Dhaka on 11 May and 15 May 2011. These were the first such meetings BASUG held with the Netherlands embassy in Dhaka. The first meeting on 11 May was led by Henny de Vries, First Secretary Governance and Gender from the mission and the 2nd meeting on 15th May was led by Doris Voorbraak, Deputy Head of the mission. Dr. Ahmed Ziauddin, Bikash Chowdhury Barua of BASUG and Danielle de Winter of Triple L/TNU attended the meeting. The embassy officials expressed interests in the activities of BASUG. The meeting also discussed the possible collaboration on development issues in Bangladesh in the days ahead. (Photo: BASUG members seen with the Netherlands embassy officials after the meeting at the embassy in Dhaka) BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 11

Bangladeshi Girl to Italy on bike Fourteen students of South West School of the Hague crossed 1300 km way on bike to reach Magrelio city of Italy. They reached Italy in 12 days by crossing Luxembourg, France and Germany. The 15 year old Bangladesh young girl, Mohammad Mukti Otoshi Monisha is one of the students who crossed this long way on the bike. Mayor of The Hague, Van Aartsen started the journey by riding himself for a while. Mukti is the only daughter of Shammi Huda, Assistant Treasurer of BASUG and M M R Monowar, Secretary of ICDB (International Centre for Democracy in Bangladesh). Photo shows Mukti in the middle.

Day labourers set unique example by setting up free school in Tangail

A few day labourers of Bangladesh have set a rare example of devotion to education and the society in a remote village in Tangail at a time when many have turned education into a tool of making a fast buck. The labourers, mostly rubber garden workers and rickshaw-van pullers, set up a primary school at Aronkhola village from their daily savings three years back. Nearly 228 students from Play group to class-V study in the school for free and receive free reading and writing materials from the school. The village, nearly 18 kilometres off Madhupur upazila, has a population of 7,000. The two nearest schools - Aronkhola Government Primary and Amtoly Primary schools - are four and five kilometres away from the village hemmed in by a forest on one side and water bodies on the rest. The children of the village had to take a muddy path, cross a river and three water bodies to go to the two schools. A group of 17 day labourers, most of them young, decided to change that by setting up a school in 2008. Of them, Faruque Hossain, 30, a day labourer with a daily income of Taka 200 (€ 2) only at Pirgachha rubber garden, first envisaged setting up a pri- mary school in the village and shared the idea with his fellow labourers. They went door to door to collect students for the school. The parents responded positively (Photo-School children of Jubo Digital Primary School during their assembly. Photo (insert) show founders of the school)...... continued on page 12 BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 12

(...... continued from page 11) Day labourers set unique example by setting up free school in Tangail and threw their weight behind the initiators. along with another teacher comes to the school They initially got 150 students. Another labourer, Amzad every day from Madhupur upazila on their own. Hossain, one of the organisers, made space for a classroom "Two other teachers come from nearby villages. in the living room of his house by shifting his belongings to We are inspired by these day labourers to volun- the kitchen. One young man, Faruque, who studied up to teer for the school," said Kalam. Assistant head- Class-IX, took the responsibility of headmaster of the master Rebeka Sultana, a BA student of Golabari school. His fellow workers, Abdul Barek, Md Russel and Degree College, said five students from the school sat for the primary terminal examination last year Amzad were chosen as teachers. and they all passed. Others in the group were assigned to raise funds to buy Another teacher Shahnaz Parvin, a BA student of reading and writing materials for the school. Madhupur Degree College, said she joined the They named it "Jubo Ideal School" (Youth Ideal School) that school, hearing that Anwar Hossain, one of the remained open from 4:00pm to sunset. school founders, has been raising funds for the When seven villagers donated 35 decimals of land to the school performing acrobatics in local markets. school a year later, they borrowed Tk 70,000 (€ 700) from some villagers for land registration and construction of a school. Chairman of local Union council, supported the ini- "A tin-shed office room was constructed for the tiative and he was made the President of the school commit- teachers last year with the money borrowed from a local non-governmental organisation," she said. tee. Delwar Hossain, a rubber garden worker and one Sabina and Shilpi, students of class-IV at the school, said they of the founders, said they received 45 sets of books receive free scripts, pens as well as uniform from the school. from the Upazila (Sub-district) Education office last Their father Somiruddin, a day labourer, said he is happy that year, and have got free books for all their students the school doesn't charge anything for his two daughters. this year. Mahmudur Rahman, assistant education Faruque said, they renamed the school, Jubo Digital Primary officer in Madhupur, said he visited the school and School in 2010 and have so far met all costs from their small saw the achievement of the youths behind it. earnings. "According to the rules, the school authorities As the number of students crossed 200, they appointed four need to apply for temporary registration three teachers including a headmaster last year in line with the years into its inception. They can apply for perma- government rules, he said. "All four teachers have been giv- nent registration after two more years," he added. ing voluntary service to the school since then," he added. Headmaster Abul Kalam, a student of Gopalpur Darul Ulum "We urge the government to take the responsibil- Madrasa, said with the establishment of the school, many ity of the school to give relief to its founders and children, who would have been deprived of primary educa- teachers as early as possible," he said. tion in the village, now can avail themselves of it for free. He

BASUG Medical Camp for the Poor BASUG has set up a Medical camp in a village named, Karal under Patiya, Chittagong for the poor people of the area in mid -May this year. The poor people of the locality have now been receiving free medical check up twice in a month. There is no health assistant in that area, forget about a qualified doctor. BASUG Chairman who was visiting Bangladesh during that time attended the opening ceremony of the medical camp. BASUG (Diaspora and Development) Page 13

Tommy Miah - a success story of a Bangladeshi expat

"Hard work, more hard work and marketing", this is means of unearthing fresh talent and promoting what Tommy Miah, the most successful Bangladeshi ex- the diversity of Indian ethnic food. Today the an- patriate in the believes. nual competition attracts over 5000 entrants - Widely known as Britain's "Curry King" both amateur and professional - from all corners and respected as one of the major lead- of the world. The competition climaxes in the ers of the Bangladeshi business commu- annual Curry Ball hosted by Tommy as a fund- nity in U.K, Tommy Miah was born in raiser for the Sreepur Village Orphanage (Shishu Sylhet region of Bangladesh in 1959. He Polli) founded by former British Airways steward- (Photo: Tommy Miah) arrived in Britain at the age of 10 ess Pat Kerr OBE. Every year, the competition is with his parents. With barely of English at his command, formally launched in the House of Commons, in Tommy struggled at school, Aston Manor in Birming- London, and is attended by Members of Parlia- ham. ment, chefs and other prominent celebrities. It is Birmingham, in the English Midlands, offered little scope his goal to open a dining-area in the Parliament to further his prospects. He did, however, have an in- building that will focus exclusively on ethnic food. terest in cooking which he had picked up from his To promote , Tommy has pro- mother. With no other skills or abilities of note, duced a number of recipe books. One of the Tommy found a job in one of Birmingham's many Indian books has a foreword from Her Majesty Queen restaurants. Starting at the bottom as a humble kitchen Elizabeth II. Another book is introduced by Sarah, porter washing pots and pans, he developed this inter- Duchess of York. It has also been a means for est through watching chefs and listening to them as they Tommy's commitment to helping others through prepared dishes. Back in his mother's kitchen, he would his charity work. Apart from the orphanage practise until he could not only perfect the dishes from (Shishu Polli), other beneficiaries include Cancer the restaurant but, relying upon his senses of flavour Research and the Centre for Rehabilitation of the and aroma, im- Paralysed (Dhaka). A further book of recipes suit- prove upon them able for diabetes sufferers will raise funds to assist with his natural research and treatment at the BIRDEM Diabetic inventiveness. Hospital in Dhaka through the Diabetic Associa- He started his own tion of Bangladesh. business with a Tomy recently returned to Bangladesh to open simple takeaway his signature restaurant, The Heritage in Dhaka. and restaurant in Tommy joined with other Bangladeshi entrepre- (Photo: Tommy Miah’s Hotel in London, - Raj Hoels) Birmingham's neurs in Dhaka to form One Consumer Products Broad Street. To keep the business afloat, he took an to source, produce and export an exciting range early morning job in a local factory and worked nights of food, food preparations and consumer prod- in the restaurant. Looking for a new focus for his busi- ucts. Tommy Miah plans to set up a cricket acad- ness drive, Tommy moved to Edinburgh where he emy in Bangladesh to promote young talent. opened his celebrated Raj Restaurant in the up and Tommy Miah is happily married with Rina and has coming Shore area of Leith, Edinburgh's traditional sea- three children- Aysha, Rajah, Rajoo and two port. grandchildren Anisha and Rehan. BASUG is going Experimentation in his own kitchens inspired Tommy to to highlight the success story of Tommy Miah launch The International Indian Chef of the Year Com- among others, in its next documentary film on petition, partly to expand his own vision but also as a Remittances which is going to be made by the end of this year. Newsletter 6th Year of Publication

BASUG Head Office Address: President:: Mr. Bikash Chowdhury Barua Koperwerf 28 Vision: 2544 EN Den Haag a gender balanced society where women can enjoy equal rights with men: Postbus 40405, 2504LK Den Haag - where migrants are empowered, visible, heard and counted Phone: +31(0)6-106.444.71 Fax: +31(0)70-381.82.04 - where children enjoy a healthy society with all basic needs E-mail: [email protected] - where human rights are respected; Website: www.basug.nl Mission: Country Chapters: Together make the world a better place to live in where poverty and injus- Bangladesh: tices are no longer present and human rights are not violated; Advisor: Mr. Muhammad Jahangir Enhance and expand the capacity of diasporas and strengthen the Diaspora Country Coordinator: advocacy movement to bring forward the migrant agenda both nationally Mr. Biman B. Chowdhury and globally; Project Coordinator - Mr. Nasirul Haque Women empowerment through participatory approach for improving the E-mail: [email protected] quality of life to achieve an optimal sustainable development; Objectives: United Kingdom.: -Empowerment of women with special focus on gender equality; education Country Coordinator- for the poor children and girls; Mr. Ansar Ahmed Ullah E-mail: [email protected] -Innovation of different modes and mechanism of development and aware- Belgium: ness messages on issues including Violence Against Women; Advisor & Country Coordinator- Dr. Ahmed Ziauddin -Build strategic partnership and alliances with different stakeholders, develop- E-mail: [email protected] ment agencies, Diaspora organizations and platforms active in the Nether- lands and beyond, on issues such as migration, climate, remittance and devel- Italy: opment. Country Coordinator- Mr. M.M.Haque Raju E-mail: [email protected] ASUG is one of the most active Diaspora organisations in the Netherlands Germany: B working together with different stakeholders including the Dutch govern- Country Coordinator- ment, EC, UNDP, JM&DI, Oxfam Novib, ICCO, Seva Network Foundation and Mr. Mahfuzur Rahman other mainstream development organisations. E-mail: [email protected] BASUG, registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, emerged out of desire and conviction of a number of professional migrants in the Netherlands coming mainly from Bangladesh, and others here to work on issues relevant to the community and overwhelming urge to contribute to development of Bangla- BASUG desh. Its immediate motivation was to come forward and assist in devastating floods and other calamities, frequenting the country. It has been working since (Diaspora and Development) early nineties, but was formalized in 2005. Although primarily focused on Bangladesh, Bangladeshi Diaspora in the Nether- lands and U.K, it has increasingly, reached out to Bangladeshi Diaspora in other European countries and to Sri Lankan Diaspora in Europe. BASUG thus blended best of both cultures- East and West. This is reflected in its every sphere, in its “Together we can strategy and management style, to realise the objectives of the organisation. make the world a Apart from the Netherlands, BASUG has its Chapters in Bangladesh, United better place to live Kingdom, Italy, Belgium and Germany. In addition, it has established partnership in” with a leading Sri Lankan organization, and a number of institutions in Bangladesh.

Editor: S. Nannan, Joint Editor: Ms. Tanbira Talukder; Newsletter Design: Philip Jehu; BASUG Head Office Address: Koperwerf 28, 2544 EN Den Haag; Post Address: Postbus 40405, 2504 LK Den Haag, KvK: 272.758.90 Post Bank: 900.613; www.basug.nl ; [email protected]