Italy and Bangladesh are negotiating a new “one repatriation, one recruitment” agreement to manage migration, according to officials. The mechanism would grant one legal work visa to a Bangladeshi national for every irregular Bangladeshi migrant repatriated from Italy.
Discussions for the new framework were held between Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri in September and October.
At an event in Rome, Yunus said Bangladesh is attempting to negotiate a two-for-one deal.
The proposal comes amid Italian concerns over rising irregular migration. Italy’s Interior Ministry reported that more than 15,000 Bangladeshis arrived via the Mediterranean between January and Oct. 15 this year.
The plan would supplement existing agreements, including a 2017 European Union–Bangladesh memorandum of understanding on repatriation and a separate 2022 pact to promote skilled labor migration.