ZCZC
BSS-56
CAAB-PROB-ABU DHABI
CAAB blames Abu Dhabi for denying Bangladeshi workers entry
DHAKA, Aug 26, 2020 (BSS) – The Civil Aviation Authority,
Bangladesh (CAAB) formed probe committee today blamed immigration
authority of Abu Dhabi, UAE for denying entry of 112 Bangladeshi
expatriate workers as they did not inform Dhaka properly about their
changing rules.
“Abu Dhabi’s immigration department has changed their immigration
policy, but Bangladesh was not well informed about it,” CAAB Chairman
Air Vice Marshal Mafidur Rahman told newsmen while revealing the
investigation report of the committee at a briefing at CAAB’s
headquarters here.
The committee recommended that the government should take necessary
measures so that the 112 Bangladeshi returnees can travel to UAE again
under the government arrangement.
The 112 Bangladeshi expatriate workers traveled by national carrier
Biman Bangladesh airlines and UAE’s Air Arabia to Abu Dhabi this month
but they were denied to entry to the oil-rich Gulf nation and sent
back to Dhaka in return flights as they were asked to meet necessary
conditions under the new immigration rules.
After the incident, the CAAB formed a five-member probe committee
to investigate the issue following an instruction by the civil
aviation and tourism ministry.
In the new rules, came into effect from August 10 last, those whose
visas have expired must go to the Federal Authority for Identity and
Citizenship’s (ICA) website and apply for permission to visit Abu
Dhabi.
“Our passengers have missed this point while Biman Bangladesh
Airlines and Air Arabia did not get clear information as well,” said
CAAB Chairman.
However, he said both the airlines also had flaws in issuing
boarding passes to their passengers.
Not only Bangladesh, Rahman said passengers from India, Pakistan,
Sri Lanka and Afghanistan also had to return to their countries due to
the changed immigration policy of Abu Dhabi.
CAAB Chairman said they have already submitted the investigation
report to the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry to take proper
measures based on the findings.
Earlier at a virtual inter-ministerial meeting, expatriate welfare
and overseas employment minister Imran Ahmad said measures will be
taken for sending the returnee expatriate workers.
BSS/ASG/TA/MRU/2127hrs