A dedicated hospital for expatriates will soon be established in Dhaka’s Gulshan area, said Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment  Asif Nazrul on Wednesday.

“The hospital will be run by returnee expatriates and they will also be able to acquire ownership through share purchase,” he said while addressing a cheque distribution ceremony organised by the Wage Earners' Welfare Board in Dhaka.

Highlighting various initiatives taken by the current government for the welfare of expatriates, the adviser said, “We are working tirelessly with utmost sincerity to ensure the welfare, rights, and dignity of expatriates. You have seen the sincere efforts of the chief adviser in securing the release of expatriate brothers who were arrested for supporting the anti-discrimination student movement. They were each granted financial aid of Tk 50,000 upon their return to the country.”

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He said, on average, 15 to 20 deceased expatriate workers’ bodies are returned to Bangladesh daily. Previously, families had to pay to use the board’s ambulance services. Now, the ambulance service has been made completely free, and we are in the process of purchasing two more freezing ambulances, he added.

Asif also announced that the existing 50-bed dormitory at the Wage Earners' Centre near Dhaka airport in Khilkhet will be transformed into a modern 200-bed facility. “This will offer safe accommodation and affordable meals for expatriates,” he said.

He further mentioned that district-level Wage Earners' Centres will be developed into expatriate complexes offering orientation and briefing sessions for overseas-bound workers, along with language training and other essential services.

Later, the adviser distributed cheques totalling Tk 1 crore 93 lakh and 13 thousand among various beneficiaries in scholarships, insurance claims, compensation and medical assistance.