Day Observations

Celebrating International Migrants Day, Demanding Justice Across Borders

December 18th

Each year on December 18, WARBE Development Foundation observes International Migrants Day with a deep commitment to honoring the contributions of Bangladeshi migrant workers and advocating for their rights and protection.

The day holds special meaning for WARBE, as we played a key role in the movement that led to its international recognition. In 1998, WARBE organized the first public rally in Bangladesh to observe December 18 as a day of solidarity with migrant workers—two years before the United Nations officially declared it.

Since then, WARBE has continued to mark the day each year through large public rallies, consultations, media campaigns, and community engagement to spotlight both the achievements and struggles of migrant workers, and to push for stronger protections and rights-based policies.

16 Days of Activism: Ensuring Decent Work and Protection for Women Migrant Workers

December 4, 2024

On December 4, 2024, a national consultation took place in Dhaka as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. Focused on “Ensuring Decent Work and Promoting Protection and Welfare for Women Migrant Workers,” the event brought together government officials, UN agencies, NGOs, recruiters, and returnee women migrant workers.

The consultation, organized by the ILO and WARBE Development Foundation, with support from Switzerland, was a chance to hear what’s actually happening on the ground—and how policies need to catch up.

Stories from returnee women migrant workers brought the discussion into sharp focus, reminding everyone that reintegration support isn’t just about job referrals. It’s about building systems that recognize the specific challenges women face—social stigma, lack of legal aid, and the emotional toll of migration gone wrong.

Human Rights Day: Consultation on Protection of Migrants Rights

December 10, 2015

Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December. To address the plights of migrants at home and abroad, it became crucially important to implement the Overseas Employment & Migrant Workers Act-2013.

On this day in 2015, a seminar was held at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity on the "Ordeals of Migrants," where 7 victimized migrants shared their traumatic experiences abroad. Chief Guest Advocate Salma Ali commented that in the name of migration, anybody could become a victim of trafficking, stressing that all migrants must have rights to information and legal aid.

Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE Development Foundation, emphasized establishing legal support cells at District Employment & Manpower Offices and sharing information within migrant communities at the grassroots level.

Observing March 8: Promoting the Rights and Dignity of Women Migrant Workers

March 8th

Each year on March 8, WARBE Development Foundation joins the global observance of International Women’s Day, with a focused commitment to advancing the rights and dignity of women migrant workers.

WARBE organizes national consultations, such as one held at the Reporters' Unity auditorium on “Women Migrants’ Rights in the Light of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Prior to the consultation, a human chain took place outside the National Press Club, calling for the ratification of ILO Convention 189 and the enforcement of migrant-protective laws.

This annual observance is both a celebration of resilience and a call to action to ensure that the migration experience is safe, dignified, and equitable for every woman.

May Day: Upholding Struggles and Strength of Workers Everywhere

May 1st

Each year on May 1st, WARBE Development Foundation observes International Workers’ Day with a firm commitment to advancing the rights, dignity, and protection of migrant workers.

On May 1, 2015, a human chain was organized in front of the National Press Club, led by the Bangladesh Ovibashi Adhikar Forum (BOAF) and supported by WARBE. This was followed by a consultation on the rights of migrant workers, hosted by the Bangladesh Civil Society Coordination Committee on GFMD.

Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman of WARBE, emphasized the economic and social value of laborers: “Migrant workers are working relentlessly to earn valuable remittances and strengthen our national economy. Their contribution is unmatched, but their rights are too often overlooked.”

Global Diaspora Day, 2016

June 23, 2016

WARBE Development Foundation observed the "Global Diaspora Day-2016" with a discussion meeting at its central office in Dhaka on 23 June, 2016. Participants included members of Bangladesh National Migrants Rights NGO Network, Bangladesh Ovibashi Adhikar Forum (BOAF), representatives from SDC, and members of WARBE.

The goal of the Global Diaspora Day is to ensure the engagement of Diaspora and migrants as entrepreneurs, social investors, policy advocates and partners in human development, while simultaneously combating the xenophobic attitudes towards these groups within society.

WARBE’s Migrants Campaign Month (MCM) 2008

November 25 – December 18, 2008

WARBE, as a member of Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), actively participated in the Migrants Campaign Month (25 November–18 December 2008), held annually as part of MFA’s "Rights and Roots" campaign. The MCM aimed to raise awareness, advocate for migrants’ rights, and call for the ratification and implementation of key UN and ILO conventions.

The campaign aimed to urge the Government of Bangladesh to change, improve and enforce rights-based and gender-sensitive migration policy, and to educate the mass population, Civil Society, and the Government about Migration issues.

Notable Events:

• 25 Nov (Intl. Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women): Discussion in Nawabganj Thana on “Feminisation of Migration and Rights of Women Migrants.”
• 2 Dec (Intl. Day for the Abolition of Slavery): National seminar on “Streamlining Labour Migration through Ratification of UN and ILO Conventions.”
• 10 Dec (Intl. Human Rights Day): Media conference at the National Press Club.
• 18 Dec (Intl. Migrants Day): Mass rallies and human chains at national and grassroots levels.