Overseas employment minister orders urgent push to reopen closed labour markets

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque has directed officials to take immediate steps to reopen overseas labour markets currently closed to Bangladeshi workers.

He issued the instruction during an introductory meeting with ministry officials at the Probashi Kalyan Bhaban in the capital today (19 February), marking his first formal engagement with staff after assuming office.

At present, Malaysia, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates remain closed to low-skilled Bangladeshi workers, a situation that has significantly affected overseas employment opportunities in recent months.

The minister said the government would pursue a zero-tolerance policy against individuals involved in irregularities and malpractice affecting migrant workers.

"We will not spare anyone found exploiting expatriate workers," he said, stressing the need to ensure transparency and accountability in all overseas employment-related activities.

State Minister Nurul Haque Nur and Senior Secretary Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, among other senior officials of the ministry, were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, speaking to journalists today at Osmani International Airport in Sylhet during his first visit to his constituency after taking office, Ariful said initiatives would be taken to stop harassment of expatriates at airports and to address their concerns.

He added that immediately after assuming charge, he spoke to expatriates at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to identify the problems they face.

The minister said special monitoring would be introduced to ensure that aspiring migrant workers are not subjected to fraud or deception while travelling abroad.

"Problems will be identified and necessary steps will be taken to resolve them. With everyone's cooperation, we hope to move the country forward," he said.