OVIBASHI KARMI UNNAYAN PROGRAM (OKUP)

OVIBASHI KARMI UNNAYAN PROGRAM (OKUP) is a grassroots migrant workers’ organization in Bangladesh. Believing in that the unity of migrant workers enhances their empowerment and contributes to the protection of their rights and dignity, OKUP came up as a platform of returnee migrant workers in 2004. It operates on the principle of human rights first priority, gender justice and non-discrimination. OKUP is registered with NGO Affairs Bureau, under the Primeminister’s office, Peoples Republic of Bangladesh since 2008.

OKUP’s key intervention areas are: Labor Migration, Anti-Human trafficking and Anti-slavery, Community Resilience, Migrants and Health, Climate Change and Migration, Research and Advocacy.

OKUP’s Key activities are: Pre-decision and pre-departure Awareness, Direct support and Assistance (shelter support, health support, counseling, legal support, life skill training, livelihood assistance etc.), Mobilization and leadership, Evidence based Advocacy.

OKUP is currently present and implementing projects in 36 upazilas under 10 districts in Bangladesh mainly Dhaka, Narayangonj, Narsingdi, Cumilla, Munshigonj, Manikgonj, Brahmmanbaria, Faridpur, Khulna and Bagerhat.

OKUP has demand-driven interventions for the migrant workers at different stages of migration including safe migration awareness, need based supports and assistance to the vulnerable and survivor returnee migrant workers including psycho-social counselling, safe home, health treatment, legal aid, life skill training through intensive case management activities. It provides supports to establish local market-driven economic reintegration and sustainable livelihoods of the returnees as well as climate induced migrants. OKUP also provides psycho-social care of the left behind children. Over the years, OKUP conducted more than 20 action oriented research and have flagged migrants’ perspectives in migration discourse. OKUP is actively engaged in national, regional and global campaigns and advocacy on migrants’ rights and protection issues.

Around 1.5 million migrant and their family members have received different information and services over the period.

Hyperlink of the Organization’s Website: www.okup.org.bd