Dhaka: Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul announced the establishment of a dedicated hospital for expatriates in the capital’s Gulshan area. The hospital, named the Expatriate Hospital, will be operated by returnee expatriates who will also have the opportunity to become owners by purchasing shares. Dr. Nazrul made this announcement while addressing a program organized by the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board at the Prabashi Auditorium in the Prabashi Kalyan Bhaban.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the event involved the distribution of several welfare benefits such as scholarships, disability allowances, medical assistance for ill expatriates, financial grants to families of deceased migrants, and the disbursement of insurance and death compensation cheques. Dr. Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, presided over the program.
During the event, Dr. Nazrul distributed cheques totaling Tk 1,93,13,000. This included financial assistance of Tk 36 lakh to 12 families, Tk 21 lakh in educational scholarships to 65 expatriate families, insurance claims of Tk 1.04 crore to 11 individuals, Tk 27.67 lakh in compensation or arrears to two families, Tk 3.30 lakh in medical assistance to three individuals, and Tk 1.20 lakh in disability allowances to 10 people.
Dr. Nazrul emphasized the government’s ongoing initiatives for the welfare of expatriates, highlighting efforts to restore their rights and dignity. He noted the Chief Adviser’s support for migrants detained during the anti-discrimination student movement, who were returned home and received Tk 50,000 each.
Addressing the issue of harassment of migrant workers at airports, Dr. Nazrul stated that measures have been implemented to prevent such practices and ensure respectful treatment. Airport staff have been instructed to treat expatriates with dignity, and a dedicated ‘Expatriate Lounge’ was inaugurated at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, offering amenities such as discounted food, free Wi-Fi, and other services.
To improve the experience for expatriates, additional staff have been deployed at the Expatriate Welfare Desk at the airport. Dr. Nazrul also mentioned that 15 to 20 bodies of deceased migrant workers are repatriated to Bangladesh daily, with ambulance services for these bodies now being free. Plans are underway to acquire two more freezing ambulances.
Dr. Nazrul shared that directives have been issued to streamline services and introduce new ones via the Welfare Board. Efforts include drafting laws and regulations for expatriate welfare, strengthening the ‘Probasbandhu Call Center,’ and establishing an Expatriate Support Center at the Probashi Kalyan Bhaban.
For accommodation, a plan is in place to convert a 50-bed dormitory at the Wage Earners’ Center in Khilkhet into a modern 200-bed facility, offering safe and affordable lodging for expatriates and returnees. Additionally, Wage Earners’ Centers in various districts will be transformed into expatriate complexes with orientation and briefing services, language education, and skill training for prospective migrant workers.