Govt in talks with Oman, visa suspension will be resolved soon: Momen
The decision to suspend issuance of visas of Bangladeshi nationalities is not political in nature and a temporary process, said the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, Dhaka.
The government is engaged in discussions with Oman to address the suspension of visa issuance to Bangladeshi nationals, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said today.
"It will be resolved very soon. We are negotiating with them [Oman]," he said while talking to reporters at his ministry on Thursday (2 November).
Regarding the suspension, Momen said, "Agencies sent lots of Bangladeshis to Oman without adequate job arrangements, resulting in the move [to suspend issuing new visas]."
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He also mentioned that 1.79 lakh Bangladeshis have been sent to Oman in 2022.
Speaking at the briefing, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said, "Opportunities in the labour market have been misused in Oman. The temporary suspension has been issued for streamlining it."
Mentioning that no market can sustain unlimited demand, he said the contracts and agreements made by Bangladeshi workers heading to Oman had not been adequately fulfilled, indicating a significant disruption.
Shahriar further said the middlemen are leading the workers into situations that could tarnish the country's reputation.
He urged migrant workers to thoroughly verify their documents and contracts before embarking on overseas employment.
Oman visa suspension for Bangladeshis temporary, non-political decision: Oman embassy in Dhaka
The decision to suspend issuance of visas of Bangladeshi nationalities is not political in nature and a temporary process, said the Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman, Dhaka on Thursday.
"The content of the announcement issued by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) regarding suspension of issuance of visas for Bangladeshi nationals comes in the context of a comprehensive review process being conducted by the relevant Omani authorities with a view to streamline the regulation of foreign labour market in line with the needs and stability of Omani labour market in a way that ensures the rights of both workers and employers in accordance with labour laws," read a statement of the embassy.
"The competent authorities exert their sincere efforts and keen to complete the review process as early as possible in order to resume visa issuance process afresh in accordance with the guidelines and regulations that concludes the review process," it said.
The embassy said the review process is based on technical and legal factors that serve and protect the interests of an expatriate worker and the employer as well as ensure the stability of the foreign labour market in Oman.
The Royal Oman Police on Tuesday announced the visa suspension with immediate effect without specifying the reason.
The Middle Eastern country has also suspended converting all tourist and visit visas to work visas for all nationalities.
"We reiterate and affirm that the decision announced here is no way and under no circumstances is political in nature rather Oman recalls with utmost respect and gratitude the contributions made and being made by Bangladeshi expatriates while it values the close and brotherly relations with the government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh," reads the release.
