Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has handed over cheques for Tk 300,000 each to the families of five Bangladeshi expatriates from Kanaighat upazila who were killed in a road accident in Qatar on June 21.

The cheques were handed over at a programme held in Kanaighat on Wednesday, following instructions from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.

The financial assistance was provided from the fund of the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board.

Speaking as the chief guest, the minister said no amount of financial assistance could compensate for the loss suffered by the families of those who had died.

“Following the prime minister’s clear instructions, we have extended assistance to the affected families through the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board,” he said.

The government does not want to limit its responsibility to providing financial assistance alone and will remain beside the bereaved families, he said.

Highlighting various government measures to secure the future of the families, the minister said the government would provide necessary assistance to cover the full educational expenses of the children of the deceased expatriates.

At the same time, at least one member from each bereaved family would be given priority for overseas employment under government arrangements to help restore their social and financial stability, he said.

Seeking local people’s cooperation in preventing human trafficking and illegal migration, the minister urged them to expose brokers who lure local youths and send them abroad illegally by sea or through other risky routes.

“Provide us with information about these brokers. We will take strict legal action against them,” he said.

Sylhet-5 lawmaker Mufti Mohammad Abul Hasan and reserved women’s seat-22 lawmaker Mosammat Shammi Akter attended the programme as special guests.

Local administration officials, journalists and prominent local residents were also present at the programme, chaired by Kanaighat Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sumaiya Ferdous.