BSS-18 Bangladesh urges Saudi Arabia to extend aqama period for 3 months

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BSS-18

BANGLADESH-SAUDI-ARABIA

Bangladesh urges Saudi Arabia to extend aqama period for 3 months

DHAKA, Sept 23, 2020 (BSS) – Bangladesh has requested Saudi Arabia to extend tenures of valid visa and aqama of expatriate Bangladeshi workers for another three months as they have been stuck here due to pandemic.

“We made the request yesterday . . . we are working sincerely to resolve the problem,” foreign minister Dr A K Abdul Momen told reporters at his office after an inter-ministerial meeting with expatriates welfare and civil aviation ministries.

The foreign minister expected a positive outcome from the Saudi side regarding extension of the Bangladeshi expatriate workers’ visa there.

He urged the demonstrating expatriate Bangladeshis who are willing to return to Saudi Arabia to have patience instead of breaking discipline. “Our Prime

Minister (Sheikh Hasina) never wants expatriates suffer,” he said.

Momen warned that the Saudi government does not promote any anti-discipline activities and such demonstrations might bring negative outcome for the workers.

The foreign minister said Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority has already gave approval to Saudi Arabia airlines to operate flight from Dhaka as many as they can to ensure return of the Bangladeshi expatriate workers.

Besides, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has taken all preparations to resume flight to Saudi Arabia from October 1, as soon as the national flag carrier will get landing permission there.

The Saudi government has so far extended the validity of Iqama for Bangladesh citizens, who got stuck here due to COVID-19, thrice and it will expire on September 30.

BSS/ASG/TA/GA/1910 hrs