Staff Reporter:
Labour, Employment, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury has said that workers received their due salaries and Eid bonuses before the festival due to the goodwill and initiatives of the current government.
He noted that the government provided approximately Tk2,500 crore in financial assistance to ensure the payment of workers’ wages and allowances.
The minister made these remarks while speaking to journalists on Thursday morning after inspecting the Shahi Eidgah ground in Sylhet.
Describing the present administration as worker-friendly, he said the government is working not only for workers inside the country but also for Bangladeshi migrant workers abroad.
He added that the government has been supporting expatriates since the beginning of the recent instability in the Middle East.
Ariful also said that due to the cooperation among the government, administration, transport workers and owners, people have been able to travel home for Eid in relative comfort this year.
He further alleged that taking advantage of the conflict situation in the Middle East, some criminals—despite being Bangladeshis—have been holding expatriate workers hostage and demanding ransom money from their families back home.
He said the authorities have already identified those involved.
Families of expatriates are also being warned to remain cautious about such incidents, he added.
The minister said the government is working to reopen closed overseas labour markets and to develop workers’ skills. From next month, language training and skill development programmes will be provided to prospective migrant workers.
He said the government aims to complete training based on market demand to reduce complications in overseas employment.
The minister also warned about the risks posed by illegal brokers, noting that many people fall into trouble through middlemen. He said the government is taking steps to curb such activities.
During the inspection of Eid congregation preparations later on Thursday, Sylhet Metropolitan Police Commissioner Abdul Quddus Chowdhury, Deputy Commissioner Md Sarwar Alam, and Sylhet City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Rezai Rafin Sarker were also present with the minister.
