Saudi Arabia has deported 144 Bangladeshi male workers, although many of them claim to have work permits and necessary legal documents.
A Saudi Arabian Airlines flight carrying them landed at the Dhaka airport at 2pm on Wednesday.
“They do not know why the Saudi authorities have sent them back,” said Brac’s migration program spokesman Al Amin Noyon.
Manpower, Employment and Training Bureau’s Manpower Survey Officer Mahbubur Rahman Ansari said: “Some 144 male workers have returned from Saudi Arabia. They alleged they had been sent back to Bangladesh despite having legal papers and work permit.
“We have suggested them to submit written complaints to the ministry through the manpower office so that they can get government support to receive compensation,” he added.
The workers said both legal and illegal workers were detained by Saudi police during a recent raid. About 400-500 Bangladeshi male workers are being held at Dammam immigration camp, according to them.
Md Yousuf Nabi, one of the workers, said he had gone to Saudi Arabia about 15 months ago spending Tk6.5 lakh but has so far managed to earn only Tk2.5 lakh working as a security guard.
“I was roaming the streets after finishing my work last week when the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) member suddenly detained me and put me in jail,” he said.
“The CID kept me in jail for a week even though I have all documents including work permit issued by the Saudi government,” he said.
The returnees also alleged that they did not get any support from the Bangladeshi Embassy in Saudi Arabia.
“When an Indian or nationals of any other country is detained by Saudi police, their embassies take quick steps to get them out but we do not get any support from our embassy,” Yousuf said.