Migrant workers lay siege to Dhaka streets, demanding Saudi visa, iqama

A group of desperate migrant workers demonstrated in front of the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry in Dhaka city on Wednesday.

They demand extension of Saudi visas and validity of iqama (work permit) so that they can join their services in the oil-rich country.

Another group of workers also held protest demonstration in the city’s Karwanbazar area for the second day on Wednesday, demanding issuance of tickets for flight to Saudi Arabia. Movement of traffic came to a halt in the area, witnesses said.

Earlier on Tuesday, several hundred migrant workers also demonstrated in front of the Saudia Airlines office in the area in a bid to secure tickets to the largest Middle Eastern country.

A delegation of workers was learned to have held talks with the officials of the ministry at the Probashi Kallyn Bhaban in Eskaton area. Others laid a siege to the area.

According to workers, many of their visa and work permits would expire on September 30. In that case, They would lose their jobs if they fail to go to the destination before the deadline.

Many of the Bangladeshi workers returned home to enjoy leave, but they failed to return to their workplaces following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

An inter-ministry meeting at the expatriates’ welfare ministry was trying to find out a solution to the crisis.

More to follow…

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