Immigrant Bangladeshi workers who have smart cards will now have to pay only Tk300 for taking Covid-19 tests from government facilities or labs.
On Sunday, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare released a circular in this regard signed by Deputy Secretary Dr Bilkis Begum of the Health Services Division of the ministry.
According to the circular, the decision will come into effect soon.
The government primarily fixed Tk3,500 for Covid-19 tests in late July for travelers going abroad. Later on, following a request from the Expatriates’ Welfare Ministry, the authorities reduced the rate to Tk1,500. And now it has been further reduced to Tk300 only.
Appreciating the initiative, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad on Monday afternoon said that following the ministry’s request the Health Ministry had considered the issue and reduced the testing fees twice.
He thanked the health minister and the health services division secretary for their kind consideration.
Prof Dr Nasima Sultana, Additional Director General (Administration) of Directorate General of Health Services, said she was aware of the fact but was not sure if the service had already begun or not.
She also could not explain what smart card meant but said the ministry concerned could explain it.
The Additional Director General (Employment) of the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), Nafriza Shayma, told Dhaka Tribune that smart card holders meant workers going abroad legally.
We generally provide the smart cards to workers who have gone through all the steps authorized by BMET and the ministry. Smart cards contain all the information about workers, including their identity, profession and work history abroad.
