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Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said Bangladesh has requested the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to extend the validity of visa and iqama, valid work permit, of Bangladeshi workers for another three months.
“We just made the request yesterday (Tuesday),” Dr Momen said expecting a positive outcome from the Saudi side, report UNB and BSS.
The minister was talking to the reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting at his office. 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 came up with the statement following a demonstration of migrant workers demanding an extension of Saudi visas and validity of iqama.
The Saudi government has so far extended the validity of iqama for Bangladesh citizens thrice who got stuck here due to COVID-19 pandemic. The latest extension term will expire on September 30.
Bangladesh Embassy to Saudi Arabia has written a letter to the Saudi Foreign Ministry seeking an extension of three months beyond September 30, said an official.
The foreign minister said Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh has already gave approval to Saudi Arabia airlines to operate flight from Dhaka as many as they can to ensure return of the Bangladeshi expatriate workers.
He also urged the expatriates willing to return to Saudi Arabia 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 said.
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.