The call was made by Saad Gazi, former secretary general of the London-based association and director of Bangladesh-British Chamber of Commerce at a press conference in the city.

He said Bangladeshi catering industry in London is under threat as Britain has cancelled the Sector Base Scheme for Bangladesh although it is still open for other sub-continental countries.

Saad Gazi said around 5000 workers who went to London one year ago under the scheme were supposed to get their visa renewed.

But the British government is unwilling to extend their visa although it is providing the same to the workers of India, Nepal and Bhutan, he claimed.

Saad Gazi said more than one lakh workers are now employed in 14,000 restaurants in London. Of them, 99 percent are from Bangladesh.

He also urged the government to negotiate with the British government on the reintroduction of Sector Base Scheme for Bangladesh.