Bangladesh has decided to suspend sending workers to Iraq amid escalation of a sectarian conflict which is reportedly threatening a civil war. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday also advised Bangladeshis living in Iraq to remain alert and avoid conflict zones. More than 14,000 Bangladesh nationals are estimated to be working in the war-ravaged Middle Eastern nation, mostly in the construction sector.The government last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to send 30,000 workers. The foreign ministry said in a media release they had decided not to send these workers “till confirmation of safe and secure environment there”. The ministry is in “close touch” with the Bangladesh mission in Baghdad. “The government of Bangladesh is also closely observing the evolving situation in Iraq”. However, it says all expatriate Bangladeshis are “safe”. Bangladesh hopes that Iraq, with international support, would be able to contain the situation with “an inclusive political dialogue with all ethnic groups”. —- bdnews24.com
