Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on directed the Bangladesh Ambassadors in 11 countries in the Middle East (ME) to expedite diplomatic efforts so that Bangladeshi workers in those countries can get back their works once the current situation gets normal.
He also directed the envoys to ensure salaries and allowances if any worker returns to Bangladesh through their diplomatic efforts.
The Foreign Minister made the directives during a videoconference.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Bangladesh Ambassadors to ME countries were present.
They discussed the current situation and the impacts of coronavirus on Bangladesh nationals in 11 Middle Eastern countries.
The Foreign Minister urged the Bangladeshi envoys to continue providing food assistance to the workers. The 11 countries are Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan Lebanon,
Iraq, Iran, Libya, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Oman.
Dr Momen also urged all to follow health guidelines to avert the risk of coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has facilitated the repatriation of over 2,000 stranded Bangladeshi citizens from China, India, Nepal, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Oman and Turkey, including pilgrims, students, tourists, patients and attendants and businessmen.
TheMoFAsaid they are fully committed to working under the overall guidance of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the critical moment of the coronavirus outbreak.
Bangladesh missions abroad are also instructed to look after the expatriate Bangladeshi community living abroad.
Under the MoFA guidance, the Bangladesh missions abroad have established ‘Hotline Numbers’ and many missions formed ‘Pool of Doctors’ to provide online medical advice to the expatriate Bangladeshis.
MoFAhas dispensed funds for Bangladesh missions abroad in coordination with the Ministry of Expatriate’s Welfare and Overseas Employment.
The Bangladesh missions distributed food and necessary items among the Bangladesh community living in different countries, particularly in the Middle East with the allocated funds.
The MoFA,in cooperation with the Army, have sent some gifts to few countries, including Bhutan, the Maldives, China, Kuwait, etc.
