Abu Dhabi immigration authorities at fault
An investigation committee formed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh yesterday blamed immigration authorities of Abu Dhabi, UAE for sending back 112 Bangladeshi migrant workers.
The 112 Bangladeshi expat workers travelled on Biman and Air Arabia Airlines to Abu Dhabi between July 14 and August 21.
But the immigration authorities of Abu Dhabi sent them back to Dhaka, saying the Bangladeshi citizens failed to meet necessary conditions for immigration clearance.
Following an inter-ministerial meeting held virtually in the middle of this month, Expatriates Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad said measures would be taken to send back the expatriate Bangladeshis who were directed back from Abu Dhabi airport after the filing of a report by Caab in this regard.
Following instructions by the civil aviation ministry, Caab formed a five-member investigation committee to probe the matter.
Revealing the investigation report at a briefing at the Caab headquarters, Caab Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mafidur Rahman yesterday said due to the Abu Dhabi immigration authority's fault, 112 Bangladeshi expatriate workers were denied entry to the Gulf country.
The investigation committee recommended that the government should take necessary measures so that the 112 Bangladeshis can fly to the UAE again.
Regarding the investigation report, the Caab boss said they have already submitted the investigation report to the civil aviation ministry, which will take necessary measures based on the report.
The Caab chairman said Bangladeshi passengers had to return from Abu Dhabi mainly due to immigration complications in Abu Dhabi, but no such incident had taken place in Dubai and Sharjah.
He said Abu Dhabi's immigration department changed their immigration policy on August 10, but Bangladesh was not well informed about it.
In the changed policy, they said those whose visas had expired must go to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA) website and apply for permission to visit Abu Dhabi.
"But our passengers have missed this point. Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Air Arabia did not get clear information in this regard, because of which the passengers had to return even after going to the airport of that country," said the Caab chief.
He also said not only Bangladesh, passengers of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan had to return to their countries due to the changed immigration policy.
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