Expatriate Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury on Thursday said that around 434,000 Bangladeshi workers have got overseas employment abroad over the past seven months despite ongoing wars.
“The government hopes to do even better and keep its place in the global labor market under difficult circumstances,” he said while inaugurating a trolley service designed to facilitate the convenient transport of luggage for expatriate workers and inspecting the Expatriate Welfare Desk inside Chittagong's Shah Amanat International Airport.
During the visit, the Minister spoke directly with outbound passengers and asked about their needs, the facilities available to them, and the problems they face. He stressed that workers going abroad must be skilled. Sending more workers without proper skills, he said, would bring no real benefit to the country.
Speaking to airport authorities about passenger healthcare, he directed them to set up an emergency medical center for expatriate workers quickly. Instructions to select a site have already been given. He added that the government is fully prepared to provide all necessary facilities for expatriate workers.
He also pointed to the hardship caused by long waits at the airport, especially when flights are delayed or rescheduled. The government plans to build a rest house near the airport so passengers can stay comfortably, whatever the situation, he added.
