Bangladeshi workers who could not reach Saudi Arabia on time because of war-related flight disruptions and whose iqama (residence permit) expired in the meantime will be allowed to enter the country later, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said on Monday.

He said that if such workers manage to travel later, their entry will be completed automatically through the electronic system and they will be allowed in.

The minister spoke as chief guest at a discussion in Dhaka titled “Expansion of Skilled Labour Migration with Strict Adherence to Concerned Rules and Regulations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” The event was held at the BIAM Foundation Auditorium in New Eskaton, with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H Bin Abiyah present. Earlier, the minister held bilateral talks with the ambassador at his office in the ministry.

A press release from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment stated this. 

Addressing recruiting agencies, the minister said manpower export targets can be met if the government and the agencies work together. He said migration costs for workers must come down, adding that it is wrong to charge Tk 7-8 lakh for a job that could be arranged for Tk 3 lakh. He urged agencies to run their business by fair means and not collect excess money from workers so that workers do not spend their working years just repaying the cost.

The minister said the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) is introducing modern technology to simplify the process of going abroad and to verify visas more quickly. An open email service is also being set up and publicised to handle complaints. He stressed the need to follow destination countries’ laws and called on both the government and recruiting agencies to raise awareness.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque, an MP, drew the Saudi government’s attention to Bangladeshis held in Saudi jails and asked that they be covered by a special pardon during the coming Ramadan. He said he hoped any bilateral problem would be solved through joint discussion, and he urged agencies to cut migration costs.

Ambassador Bin Abiyah said Bangladeshis make up the largest foreign workforce in Saudi Arabia after the country’s own citizens. He said the good relations between the two countries would grow stronger and richer in the labour sector.

Also present were BMET Director General Jamil Ahmed, Wage Earners’ Welfare Board Director General Md Asaduzzaman, Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL) Managing Director Mohammad Rashedul Haque, senior ministry officials, and representatives of recruiting agencies. Ministry Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed presided over the event. Dr Enamul Haque Chowdhury, adviser to the BNP chairman, attended as a special guest.

Representatives of recruiting agencies demanded a simpler Takamul skill test process, lower fees, resolution of manpower-related complications at BMET, and stronger, more effective recruiting agencies.