Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad on Thursday said that more than five lakh Bangladeshi expatriate workers returned to the country after losing their jobs since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.

The minister said this while replying to a question from ruling Awami League MP from Faridpur Manzur Hossain.

Imran said that 5.4 lakh migrant workers have got employment  abroad till May 2022 due to various diplomatic initiatives of the present government.

In response to a question from AL MP  from Chattogram Didarul Alam, the minister said that a total of 10.50 lakh female migrant workers are working in 84 countries of the world according to data until May this year.

The minister highlighted the various steps taken by the relevant Bangladesh missions to ensure the safety of female workers abroad.

Replying to a question from AL MP from Bhola Ali Azam, Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder said there was no shortage of food grains in the country.

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Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi in reply to a question from AL MP from Jamalpur Abul Kalam Azad, told the House that the government has identified and took actions against those responsible for trying to make people stand against the government by creating a volatile environment in the market by stockpiling soybean oil recently.

The minister also said the market monitoring team led by the Ministry of Commerce and the National Consumer Rights Protection Department has already fined those responsible for creating a volatile environment in the market. 

“Fines have been realized from the errant businesses through operating mobile courts run by the district and upazila administrations. In addition, regular cases are being filed against those responsible,” the commerce minister said.