The Saudi government has recently decided to issue family visas to Bangladeshi migrant workers again after it was halted in 2008.
“The Saudi government will now issue family visas to Bangladeshi migrant workers,” Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Zafar Ahmed Khan told the Dhaka Tribune at his office on Sunday.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md Shahidul Islam said the family visas would be issued in phases under certain criteria.
He, however, said the Bangladesh mission in Jeddah was not officially informed about the decision.
“Even when Saudi Arabia stopped issuing family visas in 2008 they did not officially inform the Bangladesh embassy,” Shahidul said.
Asked about the reason behind suspension of family visa, he said some Bangladeshi migrant workers had committed crimes.
A five-members delegation led by Expatriates’ Welfare Minister Khander Mosharraf Hossain recently visited Saudi Arabia from July 5-14. The expatriates’ welfare secretary also accompanied the delegation.
“We have held fruitful meetings with [Saudi] labour minister, deputy interior minister, governor of Riyadh and Bangladeshi communities,” Secretary Zafar Ahmed Khan said.
He said Saudi Arabia was positive about recruiting more manpower from Bangladesh but they did not place any demands.
However, the country may start recruitment after the amnesty period ends on November 4. Around 250,000 Bangladeshis have already used the amnesty.
Approximately 150,000 more Bangladeshis will take the opportunity within the stipulated time, he said, adding: “We have urged our communities to take the opportunity properly.”
The Saudi government has declared a general amnesty for all illegal migrants to change their status.
Saudi Arabia is one of the largest overseas jobs markets for Bangladesh, with around two million immigrant Bangladeshi workers.
In 2012, Bangladesh received $3.97bn remittance from Saudi Arabia alone out of the total remittance inflow of $14.17bn, according to Bangladesh Bank.
As many as 14,000 workers went to KSA in 2009; 7,000 in 2010; 15,000 in 2011; and 21,000 in 2012. A total of 132,000 workers went in 2008; 204,000 in 2007; and 109,000 in 2006.
