Aspirant expats won't need ministry's approval to go abroad anymore: Asif Nazrul
“There is a lot of suffering in sending expatriate workers abroad. It takes a lot of time. We have investigated and found that if expatriates want to go abroad, approval is required at three levels. One is the relevant embassy, the ministry and BMET," said Asif
Aspiring expatriates will no longer need to obtain approval from the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment to go abroad for work, said Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Foreign Employment Asif Nazrul, during a briefing at the expatriate ministry on Tuesday (24 September).
The adviser also briefed reporters about the rehabilitation of migrant workers who recently returned from UAE and the government's initiatives to boost remittance.
"From now on, only the embassies of the [foreign] country concerned and the BMET will take care of the matter," he said.
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The ministry took the decision in a bid to reduce delays and sufferings in the process of sending manpower abroad, he added.
Pointing out that sending expatriate workers abroad takes a lot of time, the adviser said the new initiative will shorten the duration to get the approvals by 15-30 days and reduce the suffering workers face.
VIP treatment for remitters
Asif Nazrul further said Bangladeshi migrant workers will soon enjoy VIP services at airports when returning home.
"We will provide them [remitters] everything that a VIP gets at the airport, except the use of the lounge," he said.
Talking to reporters, Nazrul said when a VIP goes to an airport, they often have someone to carry their luggage and stay with them through the check-in and immigration procedures. Such services will be provided to the migrant workers, he added.
Rehabilitating workers who returned from UAE
Meanwhile, the adviser said the expatriates' ministry will arrange for the rehabilitation of workers who have returned from countries like the UAE and other Middle Eastern nations after being pardoned for protesting in the countries.
"The migrant workers who risked their lives and livelihoods by showing solidarity with the anti-discrimination student and public movement, many of whom have faced imprisonment, their sacrifice is remembered by all of us. On behalf of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare, we will ensure their rehabilitation," Asif Nazrul said.
"We have already been able to list 87 individuals who have returned. We consider it our responsibility to ensure their well-being," he further said.
Initiatives to increase remittances
Asif Nazrul further mentioned various initiatives to increase remittance inflow.
"We provide loans through the Expatriate Welfare Bank. We've now made arrangements so that remittances can be sent directly to this bank. Those who have taken loans from the bank can repay them directly through remittance transfers," he said.
"We have also made arrangements with the private City Bank, allowing remittances to be sent to the Expatriate Welfare Bank for loan repayments. This will reduce the hassle for expatriate workers and is expected to increase remittance inflows," he added.
"We have also had discussions with 12 other banks and asked them to offer loans to expatriates to which they agreed, but a credit guarantee will be required."
Asif Nazrul said, "Currently, the maximum limit for purchasing Wage Earners' Bonds is Tk1 crore and we have proposed to remove that limit."
