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Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury on Monday said Bangladeshi workers, who missed their scheduled flights to Saudi Arabia due to war-related disruptions will still be allowed to enter the country even if their ‘iqama’ (residency and work permit) expired in the meantime.
“Once the concerned workers travel to Saudi Arabia, their entry will be automatically processed through the electronic system and they will be allowed to enter the country,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while addressing a discussion as the chief guest at the BIAM Foundation Auditorium in the capital’s New Eskaton, said a press release.
Calling on recruiting agencies to work jointly with the government, he said the target for overseas employment could be achieved through coordinated efforts.
“Migration costs for workers should be reduced. Where it is possible to go abroad for Taka 300,000, charging Taka 700,000 to Taka 800,000 is unjustified,” Ariful said.
He urged recruiting agencies to conduct their businesses in a lawful manner and refrain from charging workers excessive fees.
The minister said modern technology is being introduced at the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) to simplify the process of sending workers abroad and expedite the verification of visa validity.
He said an initiative has been taken to launch an open email service and publicise it to facilitate the resolution of complaints.
The minister stressed the importance of complying with the laws and regulations of destination countries and also urged recruiting agencies, alongside the government, to take part in awareness campaigns on the issue.
State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Hoque and BNP Chairman's Adviser Dr Mohammad Enamul Haque Chowdhury spoke at the event as special guests.
Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H. bin Abiyah spoke as the guest of honor with Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed in the chair.
Speaking at the programme, Nurul Hoque drew the attention of the Saudi government to consider granting special amnesty during the upcoming Ramadan to Bangladeshi nationals imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.
He expressed the hope that bilateral issues would be resolved through joint discussions. The state minister also urged recruiting agencies to reduce migration costs.
The Saudi envoy said Bangladeshi workers constitute the largest expatriate community in Saudi Arabia after Saudi citizens themselves. He expressed the hope that the existing friendly relations between the two countries would be further strengthened in the coming days.
BMET Director General Jamil Ahmed, Wage Earners’ Welfare Board (WEWB) Director General Md Asaduzzaman, Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) Managing Director Mr Mohammad Rashedul Haque, senior officials of the ministry, representatives of recruiting agencies and media professionals were present at the discussion.
Besides, representatives of recruiting agencies called for simplification of the Takamol examination process, reduction of fees, resolution of manpower-related complications at BMET and measures to make recruiting agencies stronger and more effective.
