Mashiur Rahaman

The country's recruiting agents in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Bangladesh has drafted a code of conduct (CoC) for self-regulation aiming to ensure transparency and healthy competition in manpower export business.

"A draft CoC has been prepared to regulate our business activities," Shameem Ahmed Chowdhury, Joint Secretary General of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), told the FE.

IOM Bangladesh, an intergovernmental organisation, is providing legal and logistic supports in formulation and evaluation of CoC, he added.

"This is an image building mechanism, an initiative to encourage the country's manpower exporters in improving business methods and promoting healthy competition," the leader of country's 800 members' recruiting agents' association said adding that the CoC would eliminate corruption in this sector.

He expects the self-regulatory mechanism to come into effect by the end of December this year.

This is an appreciative approach, IOM official Asif Muneer said adding that this would bring positive change in doing manpower business in Bangladesh.

Talking to the FE, Mr. Muneer said his organisation is providing legal and strategic support to BAIRA in drafting the CoC.

"We are helping them in evaluation of similar CoCs of Sri Lanka, the Philippines and others," he said.

The Joint Secretary General of BAIRA said the association started formation of the code of conduct in June 2009. The draft has been distributed among all members and other stake holders for evaluation before finalisation.

"We want to formulate the code of conduct that can be easily applicable. The self-regulatory mechanism aims to guide the recruiters more with encouragement rather than punishment," he said.

A well defined rating system will be introduced for the recruiters, he added.

Mr. Shamim said: "The CoC aims to create an environment for healthy competition where recruiters will be encouraged for their good deeds and awarded accordingly."

The draft CoC has been sent to IOM head office for evaluation and verification for ensuring its maximum effectiveness, he said.

Once finalised, BAIRA's code of conduct will have IOM recognition giving the association international acceptance, he added.