Bangladeshi Workers Can Enter Saudi Arabia Even After Iqama Expires
Bangladeshi workers who could not reach Saudi Arabia on time due to flight disruptions caused by the war and whose iqama (residency permit) expired in the meantime will still be allowed to enter the country. Their entry will be processed automatically through the electronic system when they arrive in Saudi Arabia later, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has said.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a discussion meeting at the BIAM Foundation Auditorium in New Eskaton, Dhaka, on Monday, October 26. Addressing recruiting agencies, the minister said the government and the agencies must work together to achieve overseas employment targets. He stressed the need to reduce migration costs for workers.
“Where it is possible to go abroad for Tk 300,000, charging Tk 700,000 to Tk 800,000 is unacceptable,” he said. He urged recruiting agencies to conduct their businesses ethically and refrain from collecting excessive fees from workers.
The minister also said the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) was introducing modern technology to simplify overseas employment procedures and speed up visa verification. Initiatives are also underway to launch and publicise an open email service to handle complaints.
He stressed the importance of complying with the laws and regulations of destination countries. He urged recruiting agencies to join the government in raising awareness among migrant workers about these requirements.
State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque and BNP Chairman’s Adviser Dr Enamul Haque Chowdhury attended the meeting as special guests. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafar H Bin Abia was present as the guest of honour. The meeting was chaired by Ministry Secretary Md Mokhter Ahmed.
State Minister Md Nurul Haque urged the Saudi government to consider granting special amnesty to Bangladeshi nationals imprisoned in Saudi Arabia during the upcoming Ramadan. He also expressed hope that bilateral issues would be resolved through discussions and called on recruiting agencies to reduce migration costs.
Saudi Ambassador Dr Abdullah Zafar H Bin Abia said Bangladeshis constitute the largest expatriate workforce in Saudi Arabia after Saudi nationals. He expressed hope that the existing friendly relations between the two countries would lead to stronger cooperation in the labour sector.
BMET Director General Jamil Ahmed, Wage Earners’ Welfare Board Director General Md Asaduzzaman, BOESL Managing Director Mohammad Rashedul Haque, senior ministry officials and representatives of recruiting agencies also attended the meeting.
Representatives of recruiting agencies called for simplifying the Takamol test, reducing fees, resolving manpower-related complications at BMET, and making recruiting agencies stronger and more effective.
