Expatriates to Avail Facilities Like Guests at Airports: Civil Aviation

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said the interim government has taken necessary measures so Bangladeshi expatriates can get the honur and facilities like guests at the country's airports.

"Hopefully, many more steps will be taken so you (migrants) can think that you are at home with peace after coming here. (You can think that) everyone is taking care of you. Everyone is serving you well," he said. The chief adviser said this while inaugurating a special lounge for the country's migrant workers at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) in the capital.

Noting that the nation should give the migrant workers the due respect that they deserve, he said the Probashi Lounge was inaugurated as the first step to provide them honour. Prof Yunus said Bangladeshi migrants contribute to the country sending remittance so they should get the proper honour.

Putting emphasis on proper use of the money sent by the Bangladeshi expatriates, he said they are earning money for Bangladesh but some people laundered this country's money abroad, which is a matter of misfortune. "Our migrant workers are nation builders. In the July-August mass uprising, they played a big role. We will always be grateful to them," the chief adviser said.

Stressing the need for easing the government services for the expatriates, he said e-passports should now be issued for the Bangladeshi expatriates. The Probashi Lounge is a first of its kind at the Dhaka airport as it will offer Bangladeshi migrant workers some space to take rest and get subsidised food for refreshments.

Law and Expatriate Welfare Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul and senior officials of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) were present at the function.