United News of Bangladesh

For millions of Bangladeshis living and working abroad, embassies and high commissions often serve as the first line of support during crises, workplace disputes, legal troubles or family emergencies. Recognising the growing importance of consular services amid rising overseas migration, the government has launched a series of reforms aimed at making Bangladesh missions abroad more effective and responsive to the needs of expatriate Bangladeshis. According to an official document of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a wide range of services and reforms aimed at improving consular support, legal assistance, welfare services and coordination among government agencies to better serve Bangladeshi migrants overseas. The Foreign Ministry said it works in coordination with these ministries to ensure the protection of expatriate workers’ rights and welfare. To improve policy coordination and service delivery further, the ministry has taken steps to establish a dedicated division on migration and expatriate Bangladeshis. The initiative aims to enhance inter-ministerial cooperation and provide more integrated services tailored to the needs of overseas Bangladeshis. The ministry said it would continue efforts to strengthen coordination among officials posted abroad from different ministries in line with diplomatic protocols, with the goal of improving the security, rights and welfare of Bangladeshi migrants and transforming missions into more modern, efficient and accountable institutions. The document also identified irregular migration as a major source of insecurity and vulnerability for Bangladeshis abroad. It said the Foreign Ministry is working with other government agencies and partner countries to curb irregular migration and reduce harassment and exploitation faced by migrants overseas. As part of efforts to provide immediate assistance during emergencies, Bangladesh missions have introduced 24/7 emergency hotlines for expatriates. Missions also regularly disseminate important notices, warnings and information through their websites and social media platforms while responding to queries from Bangladeshis living abroad. The missions actively raise awareness among migrant workers about fraud, illegal brokers, false promises and the risks associated with irregular migration. According to the document, Bangladesh embassies and high commissions work closely with the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, other relevant ministries and agencies, international organisations including the United Nations, and employers to strengthen legal assistance for migrant workers. Missions also engage in discussions and mediation with employers and local authorities to resolve disputes involving Bangladeshi workers. Where necessary, administrative and legal measures are pursued with the support of host-country authorities. To improve access to services, embassies organise consular outreach programmes in industrial zones, Bangladeshi-populated areas and remote cities, often on holidays. These initiatives allow expatriates to receive passport services, certificates and other consular assistance closer to their places of residence. Officials said such outreach activities save migrant workers considerable time and money by reducing the need to travel long distances to embassy premises. Ambassadors and embassy officials regularly visit workplaces where Bangladeshis are employed and hold direct discussions with workers. They also visit hospitals and migrant reception centres to assess the health, welfare and consular needs of expatriates, said the document. In addition, public hearings are arranged periodically at missions to hear complaints and address concerns raised by migrant workers. The document notes that awareness-building mobile consular camps are also organised in areas with large Bangladeshi communities. Representatives from host-country health ministries, traffic police, the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and immigration authorities often participate in these events. Financial assistance is provided to sick and distressed expatriates to help cover medical expenses. The process for obtaining emergency financial support and repatriation tickets from the Wage Earners’ Welfare Fund has been simplified and expedited, enabling faster assistance to those in need. For Bangladeshis detained due to irregular migration, embassy officials regularly visit detention centres and facilitate the issuance of travel permits to ensure their prompt repatriation. Missions also provide assistance to workers seeking to change jobs and to those wishing to return home voluntarily. The document further states that embassies coordinate with local lawyers and relevant authorities in host countries to secure the release of Bangladeshi nationals detained or imprisoned on various charges. In cases where a Bangladeshi worker dies abroad, missions establish contact with the deceased’s family and arrange for the swift repatriation of the body. They also facilitate financial assistance, grants and other administrative support on behalf of the government. To strengthen accountability, complaint boxes have been installed in embassy waiting rooms to allow service seekers to submit written grievances. Authorities say complaints received through these mechanisms are addressed on a priority basis. The ministry noted that many of these services in countries with large numbers of Bangladeshi migrant workers are delivered through labour wings staffed by officials deputed from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment. Similarly, passport and visa-related services are handled through passport and visa wings staffed by officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs. Officials expressed hope that these measures would significantly enhance the safety, dignity and protection of Bangladeshi expatriates around the world.

Though there had been "no written official instruction as such" from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the removal of President Mohammed Shahabuddin's portrait, Bangladesh Missions abroad are maintaining a "policy of zero" portrait for months, officials said on Sunday. "I can tell you, as such, there had been no written instructions from the headquarters. But you need to understand the signal," a senior diplomat stationed in a Bangladesh mission abroad told UNB wishing to remain unnamed. He said there are two aspects, following the changes in August 5, the portrait of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed. JU Anti-Discrimination Students’ Movement leaders remove Bangabandhu's portrait from council room And then there were Zoom meetings with heads of Missions in the following months connected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said. "When we see no portrait at the Ministry, it gives a signal. So, the portrait of the President was removed several months back," said the diplomat, adding that he thinks most of the missions followed the same zero portrait policy months ago. Talking to UNB, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs simply said, “Yes”. When pressed for further details regarding any recent instructions in any way, he added, "As reported, verbally."  

The visa on arrival facility in Bangladesh remains suspended for citizens of all countries except for the investors and businesspersons due to the influx of COVID-19. Therefore, the government says, anyone who wishes to visit Bangladesh he/she has to obtain a visa before travel.  Read: India extends visa validity of stranded foreigners till Aug 31 Visa can be obtained through applications at Bangladesh Missions abroad. Any change in this regard will be notified accordingly.

The government has decided to discourage expatriate Bangladeshis from returning home during lockdown, unless facing an emergency.   Bangladesh Missions abroad are being engaged to disseminate the message among expat communities in various countries.   To convey the message to expatriates, support from the social media platforms, Bangladesh Missions’ websites and community leaders will be taken. However, the expatriates will be able to return to home from abroad in case there is any emergency need with a condition of mandatory 14-day institutional quarantine.  Also read: Biman to run special flights to 5 countries from Apr 17 Each of the returnees will have to show Covid-19 negative certificate which is a must and the Bangladesh Missions abroad will prepare the list of those who need to come to Bangladesh on an emergency need. The Armed Forces Division will take adequate preparations for institutional quarantine facilities in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet. The decisions were taken at a virtual inter-ministerial meeting held on Thursday chaired by Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen. Health Minister, Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and senior officials of the ministries concerned attended.  The government has decided to allow airlines including Biman Bangladesh Airlines to operate special flights to five countries - Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Singapore from April 17 in an effort to help stranded Bangladeshi expatriate workers can join their workplaces. Also read: Bangladesh to operate special flights to carry overseas workers Among the expatriate Bangladeshi workers who want to go to these five countries having BMET clearance issued by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, they will be given priority in going abroad. However, in the case of these countries, those who have a visit visa, but do not have BMET clearance, will not get priority in going abroad. Bangladeshis who will go to the UAE for work with a visit visa can get a BMET clearance. During the lockdown, those who wish to travel to countries other than the five mentioned countries in case of emergency will be able to travel on special flights as transit-passengers subject to clearance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged the officials at the labour wing of Bangladesh missions abroad to serve the expatriates with commitment, dedication and honesty refraining from any bad things like collecting money that might be disgraceful for the country and all.

Bangladesh Missions abroad observed the National Mourning Day in a befitting manner on Saturday. 

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said stern action will be taken against allegations of negligence, unwillingness to provide services and disrespectful behaviour by anybody with the service seekers in Bangladesh missions abroad.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday urged the heads of Bangladesh Missions abroad to play a proactive role to address the problems of Bangladeshi workers in various countries including in the Middle East amid the coronavirus pandemic.