Bangladesh embassy in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia earned Tk1.05bn in less than six months from undocumented migrant workers in exchange for consular services.
The embassy usually earned around Tk800m by providing consular services to migrant workers both from Riyadh and Jeddah, a high official at the embassy told the Dhaka Tribune over phone on Thursday. But, the earning had increased since May 10, he said, seeking anonymity.
He said 10% of the earning went to the Wage Earners' Welfare Fund and the rest was deposited at the government exchequer.
On May 10, the Saudi government granted amnesty for all illegal expatriate workers and later extended the time up to November 3.
“The Saudi authorities have informed us that they will not extend the date further,” Labour Counsellor Md Emdadul Hoque said over phone.
“Around 350,000 illegal Bangladeshi migrant workers have so far become legalised through the consular services,” which include issuing of new passports, renewal of passports and travel permit.
Asked about the fate of the remaining undocumented workers, he said: “There is no accurate figure; the number is insignificant and they will be legalised before the deadline.”
Saudi Arabia, which is a destination of 2 million Bangladeshi workers, has planned to track down the illegal workers and punish them and their employers.
On Tuesday, the Saudi labour ministry made an announcement in this regard.
Meanwhile, a ministerial panel of Saudi Arabia recommended lifting the ban on recruitment from Bangladesh, according to a recent report by Arab News.
Officials of Bangladesh embassy, however, claimed that the Saudi government had not imposed any such ban but migration had slowed down considerably.
According to the website of Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training, 14,666 workers went to the KSA in 2009; 7,069 in 2010; 15,039 in 2011; and 21,232 in 2012.
According to Bangladesh Bank, the country received a total of $14.46bn from abroad in 2012-2013 3.82bn from Saudi Arabia.