Bangladeshi migrant group in Saudi Arabia going via disorders esteem unpaid salaries or missing iqamas (predicament permits issued by employers to work visa holders) can explore correct redress, contact their embassy or work with Saudi authorities to provide protection to their rights, stated Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Youssef Essa Al Duhailan in an interview with The Substitute Frequent’s Kamran Siddiqui.
Saudi Arabia hosts over three million Bangladeshi migrant group. What are the possibilities for increasing employee recruitment within the arriving months?
I would esteem to stress that the connection between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh has been solid for the explanation that establishment of diplomatic ties, and it continues to develop day by day, Alhamdulillah.
Concerning labour migration, we’re gradually bringing extra Bangladeshi group to Saudi Arabia for quite loads of causes. Regarded as one of the most important factors is the efficiency and exhausting work of Bangladeshis, as well to the trust that Saudi citizens and the non-public sector have in Bangladeshi group.
We also recognise their contributions to the contemporary type of Saudi Arabia, as well to the advantages they bring to their households and communities in Bangladesh. As for the number of migrants, Saudi Arabia is net hosting over 3.2 million Bangladeshi migrants.
The Saudi embassy in Dhaka processes 5,000 to 7,000 visas day by day, producing jobs and serving to Bangladesh ease its employment roar. I agree with that is a accumulate-accumulate roar: Bangladesh advantages from its abundant manpower, while Saudi Arabia positive aspects from the opportunities created by ongoing mega initiatives and the Imaginative and prescient 2030 initiative.
Attributable to this truth, the whisk in conjunction with the circulate of visas from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia is anticipated to proceed.
How can Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia handle unlawful visa buying and selling in labour migration?
Visa buying and selling is illegitimate and strictly prohibited. I bustle all companies, group and migrants to wade via real channels to assassinate their visas, averting middlemen who might perchance exploit them. These intermediaries steadily blackmail group, seize their money, and recede.
The visa costs are borne by the employers – whether or not they’re firms or folks – with handiest minor real costs (e.g., for fingerprinting), that are also lined by the employers.
Some middlemen or companies falsely claim that employers attain now now not pay anything else, but that is spurious. We abet all group to make use of the real channels, and at the Saudi embassy, we attain now now not rate any service costs.
Workers memoir missing Iqamas and unfulfilled job guarantees, while recruiters cite high Iqama costs. Can you provide an explanation for the costs and solutions to be particular that animated treatment?
Here’s a misunderstanding. The iqama and associated procedures can now be handled electronically via cell apps, thanks to Saudi Arabia’s e-authorities services and products.
Concerning the iqama, there is a contract between the recruitment agency in Saudi Arabia and the agency here in Bangladesh. After a probation interval of 90 days, which enables group and employers to evaluate their match, the employee will earn the visa, and the iqama might perchance notice rapidly after — steadily interior per week or two.
Employers are legally obligated to roar visas for all group they recruit, and all associated costs are borne by the employers, whether or not they’re processing one visa or a thousand. There are regulations in dwelling, and group’ rights are fully gain by laws.
What’s the commute predicament country’s aim in curbing unlawful remittance channels?
Here’s a roar that concerns both group and the governments of both countries. We won’t allow unlawful channels for remittance transfers, and we strongly abet all group in Saudi Arabia to make use of factual, correct channels.
We have digital financial platforms that allow for rapid, gain remittances. If group resort to informal programs esteem Hundi, it now now not handiest harms Bangladesh’s financial system but additionally the host country’s financial system.
With allegations of further commissions taken by Flynas airline’s sales agent raising Hajj mark costs, will there be an investigation and action?
Saudia, Flynas and Biman all aim Hajj flights. Concerning the alleged costs or overcharging, that is an interior matter between Bangladesh and the occasions concerned. It’s miles in a roundabout intention associated to the Saudi authorities. Nonetheless, I the truth is have urged the Bangladesh authorities to compare and cut again costs where that you just would judge of to allow extra pilgrims to participate.
Any updates on Bangladesh’s review of the phrases of the agreement between Patenga Terminal and Saudi’s RSGTI?
Bangladesh is an honest commute predicament for merchants, and Saudi firms are actively exploring opportunities here. The Red Sea Gateway Terminal World (RSGTI), a prominent Saudi firm, has a memorandum of figuring out (MoU) with the transport ministry in Bangladesh to aim the Patenga Bay terminal. They’re for the time being working there.
There might be no such thing as a review of the phrases of the agreement. There are some disorders referring to international currencies exchanges and we’re working to unravel them. We are also discussing the likelihood of 1 other venture with the firm at Matarbari Port, Insha’Allah.
