Expatriates' minister fears remittance drop due to Middle East war
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has expressed concern that the ongoing war in the Middle East may impact remittance inflows.
"Naturally, there will be some impact. However, the government has taken various initiatives for our remittance warriors. These will become visible soon, and you will see their benefits shortly," he said this afternoon (8 March) after a law and order committee meeting at the Sylhet Deputy Commissioner's Office.
Regarding Bangladeshi expatriates currently in the Middle East amid the conflict, the minister said the government's first priority is ensuring their safety.
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"Our first task is to keep our expatriates in the Middle East safe. We are providing them with logistical support. If anyone is injured, healthcare services are being arranged. If the situation worsens further, we are also considering bringing them back to the country," he said.
He added that a monitoring cell has been formed jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
"The situation is being monitored every day. We are trying to do everything possible to ensure the safety of our citizens," the minister said.
He also said that the government has so far received reports of the deaths of three Bangladeshis. Efforts are underway to bring their bodies back to the country, and authorities are in contact with their families.
On reopening overseas labour markets for Bangladesh, the minister said efforts are ongoing to revive markets that had previously been closed. However, due to the war, it is currently not possible to pursue such initiatives in the Middle East.
"So we are now trying in the eastern region. Because of Ramadan and the war, the process has slowed somewhat. We hope it will gain more momentum from next month," he said.
Earlier, while addressing the law and order committee meeting as chief guest, the Sylhet-4 lawmaker expressed concern over the rise of theft and juvenile gangs in Sylhet and instructed the administration to take necessary measures.
The meeting was chaired by Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam, and was attended by Sylhet-6 lawmaker Emran Ahmed Chowdhury, among other senior administrative officials.
