The Bangladeshi workers who got stuck here will be able to return to their workplaces in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) smoothly soon, as both Biman and Saudi airlines got permission to operate flights apart from addressing visa and Iqama issues.
"Our Ambassador [Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary] just phoned me conveying the positive outcome," Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB over phone on Wednesday evening.
He said the Saudi government has given landing permission to Biman Bangladesh Airlines which will help the return of Bangladeshis smoothly.
The government of Bangladesh has also given permission to all Saudi airlines to land here and take Bangladeshis back to the KSA, said the Foreign Minister.
Dr Momen also said the Saudi government has agreed to extend visas for the Bangladeshis, if their already expired, who want to return to their workplaces in the KSA.
"Only a few cases of visa expiry, not that all visas are expired," said the Foreign Minister.
The visa extension process for those whose visas have expired will start on Sunday.
He also said the Iqama of Bangladeshi workers will remain valid for 24 more days and there will be further extension, if required.
"Iqama isn't provided by the Embassy. It's provided by the employers," Dr Momen said.
Earlier, Bangladesh sought one more extension of three months from Saudi Arabia for Bangladeshi valid visa holders and their Iqama (valid work permit) in an effort to help workers return to their workplaces.
The Saudi government has so far extended the validity of Iqama for Bangladesh citizens thrice who got stuck here due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The latest extension term was scheduled to expire on September 30.
Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia has sent a letter to the Saudi Foreign Ministry seeking an extension of three months beyond September 30, said an official.
The oil-rich kingdom is the most popular destination for migrant workers from Bangladesh.
Last year, Bangladeshi migrants sent back US$18.355 billion. Of the amount, $3.647 billion (19.87 percent) were sent from Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, a group of Bangladeshi migrant workers demonstrated at Karwan Bazar on Tuesday and Wednesday demanding air tickets to Saudi Arabia so that they can join their workplaces.
‘Have patience’
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Dr Momen urged the Bangladeshi expatriates willing to return to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to "have patience" instead of breaking the discipline.
"We all are working together. We’re working very sincerely to resolve the problem. Having patience is very important," he told reporters at his office after an inter-ministerial meeting.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, among others, attended the meeting chaired by Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad.
The Foreign Minister warned that the Saudi government does not promote any anti-discipline activities and such demonstrations might bring negative outcomes for the workers.
"Our Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) never wants expatriates to suffer," Dr Momen said.
He said the government has requested the Saudi government to extend the tenure of valid visa holders and aqama for another three months.
The Foreign Minister urged the workers not to get misguided by anyone and mentioned that the person who submitted a demand letter on behalf of demonstrating workers is not an expatriate but a local person involved in politics.
He said the Saudi government is observing it as TV channels and other media are reporting their demonstrations.
Dr Momen also expressed his fear saying the government will have nothing to do if anybody's visa is cancelled. "Their (Saudi govt’s) position is very strong in this regard."
He recalled almost seven years’ ban on recruitment of Bangladeshi workers by the Saudi government.
The Foreign Minister said the Prime Minister worked hard and had discussions with the Saudi leadership several times resulting in the resumption of Bangladeshi recruitment.
"Now we’ve very good relations with Saudi Arabia," he said urging the workers to remain careful so that the Saudi government does not get any negative impression about Bangladesh.
Dr Momen said the Saudi government is very concerned about the COVID-19 situation there.
Responding to a question about the return of 112 Bangladeshis from the United Arab Emirates, he said they all had valid visas but they did not have clearance from their respective employers.
The Foreign Minister said the new rule of the UAE was unknown to them.
He said the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment is very generous about them and is finding ways to help Bangladeshis return to the UAE.
The Foreign Minister also talked about 54,000 people described by the KSA as Rohingyas and 462 people in Saudi prisons.
He said Bangladesh will bring them back after scrutiny if they are proved to be Bangladeshi, not Rohingyas.
Meanwhile, a group of Bangladeshi migrant workers demonstrated at Karwan Bazar on Tuesday and Wednesday demanding air tickets to Saudi Arabia so that they can join their workplaces.
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