A total of 16 Bangladeshi expatriates have been killed in conflicts in the Middle East and after being sent to the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine war on false promises of jobs, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury told Parliament on Thursday.
The minister disclosed the information during a question-and-answer session on the 22nd day of the first budget session of the 13th National Parliament, chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
12 killed in Middle East conflicts
Replying to a written question from reserved women’s seat lawmaker Nilofar Chowdhury Moni, Ariful Haque said 12 Bangladeshi workers had died so far in conflict-related incidents in the Middle East.
The casualties were reported from Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq and Bahrain.
Among the deceased, five were from Lebanon, three from Saudi Arabia, two from the UAE, one from Iraq and one from Bahrain.
The minister said one deceased worker was buried in the host country, while nine bodies had already been brought back to Bangladesh.
Families of the deceased received Tk35,000 for burial expenses and an additional Tk50,000 as a special grant from the airport authorities.
He also said the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board had arranged the repatriation of 186 Bangladeshis from Iran, including 12 women and eight children.
Bangladeshi youths sent to Russia for jobs
Responding to another question from Md Hasan Rajib Pradhan (Lalmonirhat-1), the minister described how 30 Bangladeshi youths were allegedly sent to Russia in April this year with promises of high-paying jobs.
The youths travelled through three recruiting agencies — RL 1455, 1428 and 2505 — with manpower clearance from the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET).
However, after reaching Russia, they were allegedly forced to undergo military training and sent towards the frontline of the Ukraine war instead of being provided employment.
“After receiving this information, the government took immediate steps. On 15 June, a letter was sent to the Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow to rescue these workers,” the minister said.
According to the latest information, four of the 30 workers have died. The government is continuing diplomatic efforts to bring the remaining workers back home, he added.
New facilities at airports
The minister also announced several measures to improve services for expatriates and their families at the country’s airports.
Two new freezing ambulances have been added at Dhaka and Sylhet airports, while one has been added at Chattogram’s Shah Amanat International Airport for transporting the bodies of deceased expatriates. Two more freezing ambulances are kept ready in Dhaka.
Besides, 10 wheelchairs have been provided for sick and injured migrant workers.
The procurement of 200 new luggage trolleys is also under way to improve services for expatriates at airports.
