Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has urged expatriate Bangladeshis to stay alert against rumours about the interim government and the current situation in the country.
He made the call in a post on his verified Facebook account.
Nazrul said a group of people are circulating false claims on social media, alleging discrimination against expatriates over mobile phone sets.
He clarified that the government has issued no new rule that restricts expatriates from bringing phones into the country.
Under the previous system during the Sheikh Hasina administration, expatriate workers could bring one new phone along with their personal handset.
The interim government has now increased this benefit. Expatriates can bring two new phones in addition to the one they use personally.
He said the NBR amended the baggage rules to offer this benefit for expatriate workers. However, this facility applies only to those travelling abroad with clearance from BMET (Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training). The previous rules will remain in place for all others.
He also clarified that no new law has been introduced regarding phone registration for expatriates. From 16 December, anyone who starts using a new mobile phone must register the device within 60 days. This requirement applies to every citizen in the country.
The adviser said the government introduced this requirement to curb crimes carried out with illegal or unregistered mobile sets, including abduction, threats, extortion and online gambling.
He reassured the public that the regulation aims to protect citizens, not harass them.
Nazrul urged expatriates to ignore fabricated posts claiming they can stay in Bangladesh only for 60 days. He said the claim is completely false and called on everyone to resist such “vicious misinformation”.
