Govt plans airfare discounts, lounge access for expatriate card holders: Minister
The proposed benefits are part of the government's initiative to improve services for Bangladeshi migrant workers.
Highlights:
- Expatriate card to offer airfare discounts
- Lounge access among planned new benefits
- Priority airport services also under consideration
- Govt aims to reduce harassment of migrant workers
- Tourism facilities may offer special discounts
The government plans to introduce a range of benefits for expatriate card holders, including discounted air tickets, access to airport lounges and priority airport services, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam said today (21 July).
She made the announcement at a meeting held at the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism to discuss the role of airport-related agencies in implementing the expatriate card programme.
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Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat and State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque also attended the meeting.
The minister said the government has taken various initiatives to ensure better services for Bangladeshi expatriates.
"A policy decision has been taken to offer special discounts on Biman Bangladesh Airlines tickets and the use of the Balaka Lounge. We have already introduced a shuttle bus service at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for the convenience of passengers. We are committed to ensuring hassle-free airport services for expatriates," she said.
State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said the government is also considering special discounts for expatriate card holders at hotels and motels operated by the Bangladesh Tourism Corporation.
He added that expatriates would also receive priority check-in and boarding facilities at airports through the expatriate card.
At the beginning of the meeting, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury outlined areas where cooperation from the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry would be required to implement the expatriate card, which was included in the current government's election manifesto.
The meeting was also attended by Md Shakirul Islam Khan, special assistant to the prime minister on overseas employment in the Asia-Pacific region, along with senior officials from the two ministries and their subordinate agencies.
