ZCZC
BSS- 50
WORKERS-ME-CORONA
ME countries will extend Bangladeshi workers visas over coronavirus
DHAKA, March 12, 2020 (BSS) – Foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said
Middle Eastern (ME) nations, which currently restricted outsiders’ entry in
view of the coronavirus situation, have assured Dhaka to extend the visa
tenures of Bangladeshi workers.
“The visas of the Bangladeshi workers in the Middle East countries will be
extended after the coronavirus situation becomes normal,” he told a media
briefing emerging from a meeting with envoys of five ME countries — Saudi
Arabia, Qatar, Iraq, Kuwait and United Arab Emirate (UAE) — at the State
Guest House Padma here this evening after holding an inter-ministerial
meeting.
Many Bangladeshi workers were virtually stranded as they came home on leave
while quite a few others could not go to several Middle Eastern countries for
joining their new jobs despite having visas, in view of the restricted entry.
Of the five countries, Saudi Arabia has suspended Umrah and tourist visas,
Qatar and Kuwait have restricted entry from 14 and 10 countries respectively,
including Bangladesh, while Iraq and the UAE did not close their border for
any nation.
Momen said coronavirus free medical certificate will not be required for
the Bangladeshi workers to enter the Middle East countries.
Urging the Bangladeshi expatriates in different countries not to visit the
country right now, the foreign minister said, “It is better to stay at the
countries where you are now and obey the rules of the respective countries.
If you face any problem, please contact with the Bangladesh mission at the
respective country”.
Noting that Bangladesh has suspended on arrival visas for four nations —
China, South Korea, Iran and Italy — in a bid to control the spread of
coronavirus, Momen said, “We are closely monitoring the global situation. We
would extend the suspension for other nation if necessary”.
Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad,
secretaries of health and civil aviation and tourism and Institute of
Epidemiology Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) Director Prof Dr Meerjady
Sabrina Flora were present at the briefing, among others.
BSS/ASG/TA/SAH/ARS/2056 hrs