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The expatriate Social Welfare Minister Imran Ahmed took time until Monday to end this complication by holding a meeting with the protesters.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has asked the government to trust the government’s initiative to extend the validity of visas and Iqamas for anxious expats.
More than 2 million Bangladeshis work in various professions in Saudi Arabia, an oil-rich country in the Middle East. Of the £ 1.62 billion in remittances that arrived in the country in fiscal year 2019-20, only £ 401.51 billion were sent by Saudi expatriates.
Expats from Saudi Arabia who arrived in the country during the coronavirus epidemic, the country’s government has resumed flights, but leaving Bangladesh has been a disaster.
The airline has yet to resume regular commercial flights to Saudi Arabia without permission. As a result, many Bangladeshis working in Saudi Arabia cannot go even after cutting their plane tickets. On the other hand, Saudi Arabian Airlines cannot handle the pressure of so many passengers due to low flights.
In this situation, Saudi expatriate workers have started to protest. They also protested in front of the Expatriate Welfare Building on Wednesday after a two-day protest outside the offices of Biman and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
They say that many will lose their jobs if they do not go to Saudi Arabia this month. That is why it is important to arrange for their speedy return. Besides extending the visa, they will also need a ticket to go there.
In the afternoon, senior officials from the Expatriate Welfare Ministry, including Minister Imran Ahmed, sat down with six representatives of the restless Saudi expatriates.
In the evening, public relations officer of the ministry. Raseduzzaman told bdnews24.com: “During the meeting, the minister asked for time until Monday to resolve the issue of the Saudi expatriates.”
The minister also advised expatriates not to hold street protests in this way.
He urged expatriates not to be politically influenced by anyone. Because if they create chaos, the image of Bangladesh will be ruined for foreigners, ”said Raseduzzaman, a public relations official.
Saudi expatriates protest outside the Sonargaon Hotel in Karwan Bazar on Tuesday. Photo: Mahmud Zaman Avi
Hundreds of expats took to the streets in front of the Sonargaon Hotel in Karwan Bazar around 9 a.m. Wednesday, where the Saudi Arabian Airlines office is located. Traffic on the highway stopped for some time.
They then surrounded the Expatriate Welfare Ministry in Eskaton around 11 a.m. and started protesting. Another group of them left Motijheel around 12 noon and took a position in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in front of the Press Club.
After an inter-ministerial meeting on the situation of expatriates, Chancellor Momen told reporters: “I will tell expatriate brothers and sisters to be patient. Patience is very important.
“If the Saudi government sees an offensive against law and order, they will not like it.” Saudi Arabia does not tolerate it at all, they do not like it if it acts against discipline. “
Referring to the protests, he added: “If they see protests, meetings, they can cancel visas. The work permit can be revoked. If they do, we will have nothing to do. These expats of mine will be the ones to suffer.”
He said there had been cases of such incidents before and said: “Don’t believe bad ideas. If it is created, the ax will fall on the feet of those who do these things. Be aware of that. You will not fall into persuasion. That would be in your detriment. “
Chaos Hurts: Expat Chancellor
Minister of Foreign Affairs AK Momen
Highlighting the government’s move, the Foreign Minister said: “We have written to the Saudi government to extend the validity of the visas and Iqamas for three months so that they can return at no cost.”
“The Saudi government has yet to comment. …. our ambassador is working. Hopefully, they will be nice to us.”
Momen said that those who want to pick up expats from Saudi airlines can make cheaper tickets.
“Our plane is ready,” he added. The moment they give the right to land the aircraft, the aircraft will move immediately. Those who have booked tickets before, have earlier dates, will be picked up first. “
Special flight for Saudis
Meanwhile, Biman has announced that it will operate two special flights to Saudi Arabia in this emergency situation. Although they do not get permission for regular flights, they have permission for special flights.
Biman Managing Director Mokabbir Hossain told bdnews24.com on Wednesday that one flight would leave for Jeddah on September 27 and another for Riyadh on September 27.
Only those who had a return ticket (return ticket) to Saudi Arabia can board the flight.
Mokabbir Khan said two special flights would be operated on March 16 and 17 for return ticket holders from the Jeddah and Riyadh flights.
He requested to contact Biman’s sales office on September 24 to book this flight.
Regarding the rest of the passengers, Biman MD said, “Other passengers will also be informed to book in phases subject to flight approval. Now other passengers are being asked not to crowd the counter unnecessarily. “
These passengers must carry a negative Covid-19 certificate.
“The Covid negative certificate is mandatory and all passengers must arrive at Covid from Dhaka and travel from Dhaka as they must arrive in Saudi Arabia within 48 hours of collecting the sample,” Mokabbir said.
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