Shariful Hasan

Better care for migrants can ensure higher remittance earnings

Abdur Rashid Mia (32) from Narsingdi went to Saudi Arabia in June 2022. However, each step of his journey there was complicated – from getting his passport, to completing his medical check-ups, paying for his tickets and, finally, getting a job.

Int'l Migrants Day: with dreams departed, they come home dead

Unskilled or low-skilled workers are often involved in risky, difficult, and laborious jobs in the scorching heat. Apart from the unforgiving heat, work hours reaching 12 to 18 hours,

The sickening silence over Bangladeshi migrant worker deaths

There has been no national inquiry into why so many migrants die of brain stroke or heart attacks at such young age.

Labour Recruitment to Malaysia: Time to break the never-ending cycle

Both Bangladesh and Malaysia should remain resolute in promoting safe, fair, transparent and ethical recruitment, upholding the national laws and relevant international standards.

‘Do good without expectations’

Bidyanondo Foundation has so far served millions of people, and in the process, touched their hearts with its activities. To honour its contributions, Queen Elizabeth II of the UK has recognised its founder Kishore Kumar Das with the Commonwealth Points of Light award. However, Kishore doesn’t think the award should change anything; the organisation wants to continue its work as usual.

Memories of the brutal attack on Prof Humayun Azad

It all started with a loud sound.

Bangladeshi journo, engineer freed in Libya

Bangladeshi journalist Zahidur Rahman and expatriate engineer Saiful Islam Tipu, who had gone missing in Tripoli, were released from the “safe custody” of the Libyan authorities yesterday.

Bangladeshi Journo, Engineer: Now in custody of Libyan authorities

Bangladeshi journalist Zahidur Rahman and expatriate engineer Saiful Islam Tipu, who went missing in Tripoli on March 23, are now in the “safe custody” of the Libyan authorities.

Bangladeshi journo, engineer went missing in Libya now in safe custody

Bangladeshi journalist Zahidur Rahman and expatriate engineer Saiful Islam Tipu, who went missing in Tripoli of Libya are now safe in the custody of the Libyan Authority. But it was not confirmed when or how they would be released.

Bangladeshi journalist, engineer missing in Libya

A Bangladeshi journalist, who went to Libya on March 21, has been missing for the last five days.

Only reduced costs can end migrants’ exploitation

Rezaul Mia from Tangail spent about Tk 4.5 lakh, which he acquired through a loan, to get a labourer’s job in Saudi Arabia last year.

Najmun’s historic journey takes Bangladeshi flag to 150 countries

Before the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Victory Day, Najmun Nahar -- a Bangladeshi globetrotter -- wanted to reach her personal milestone of visiting 150 countries.

Reviving a local species of Garfish

Scientists of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) have successfully invented an artificial breeding technique for the almost-lost freshwater garfish, known as Kakila in Bangladesh.

Skyscraper as tall as 1km: Innovative concept from a Bangladeshi engineer

It may surprise many to know that in the global race to build the tallest skyscrapers, two Bangladeshis have made towering contributions.

Machine-Readable Passports: No explanations yet on 1.5 lakh pending requests

When over 1.5 lakh applications for machine-readable passports are pending for some two months, the authorities have yet to come up with any official explanations about what led to this situation and when and how it is going to be addressed.

MRP Server Exhausts Capacity: Passport delivery stumbles

The passport authorities sat on upgrading the MRP server that had crossed the 30-million limit in early June, causing delay in reissuing passports to tens of thousands of Bangladeshis, mostly migrants in the Gulf and Southeast Asian countries.

‘Mehmankhana’ shares joy of Eid with 6,000 low-income people

‘Mehmankhana’, an initiative by a group of volunteers in Dhaka’s Lalmatia, made special arrangements to feed low-income people on the occasion of holy Eid-ul-Azha.

Sheuli’s gold pendants and the authorities’ deep sleep!

Everyone present on the grounds of Nishchintopur Primary School was in uncertainty that day.

‘Mehmankhana’ sharing Eid joy with hot meals for the less fortunate

During the whole month of Ramadan, nearly 1,500 people received iftar here every day. ‘Mehmankhana’, as the organisers call it, aimed to provide hot meals to orphaned children, rickshaw-pullers, street vendors, and people from other marginalised sections of society who have become unemployed during lockdown. Special arrangements were also made for all these people on the day of Eid. Everyone was happy with such an arrangement on Eid day.

BCS exam to be on schedule

The 41st BCS preliminary examination is going ahead on March 19 after the High Court rejected a writ petition filed by a BCS candidate seeking its deferral due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the recent surge in infections and fatalities.

Noted columnist Syed Abul Maksud no more

Noted columnist, researcher and writer Syed Abul Maksud today breathed his last at Square Hospital in Dhaka. He was 74.

Abiron’s Death in KSA: Family demands justice, rejects settlement

A Saudi court has rejected the bail petitions of three accused arrested in a case filed for the murder of a Bangladeshi domestic worker in Saudi Arabia two years ago.

BFRI Recruitment: Passing test without even appearing

The written test was held on Saturday afternoon. The result that came out eleven hours later left many candidates surprised.

Fisheries Research Institute recruitment: Candidate passes without appearing for exam!

In the recruitment test for the post of Scientific Officer (Temporary) of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute (BFRI) under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, a candidate has reportedly passed without appearing for the written test.

That grim caravan just won’t stop

It was 4:00am yesterday when the first light of dawn was still far from the Dhaka sky.

473 women migrant workers dead abroad since 2016, 175 in Saudi Arabia alone

A year after she was sent to Saudi Arabia as a domestic worker, Nodi returned to Bangladesh last night, lifeless, crammed inside a coffin, only to be received by her wailing relatives on the premises of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

No Saudi-bound Bangladeshi missed flight last night

Despite going through several uncertainties regarding acquiring plane tickets and Covid-19 certificates over the last few days, all 302 Saudi-bound Bangladeshi passengers were able to leave Dhaka on flight SV-802 of Saudi Airlines.

All Saudi-bound Bangladeshi passengers test negative, will receive Covid-19 certificates at Dhaka airport

All the expatriate Bangladeshis who are scheduled to fly for Saudi Arabia tonight have tested negative for Covid-19. Health officials have said the passengers can go to airport and receive printed copies of Covid-19 negative certificates from the health desk by showing the text messages sent to them.

Flight to Saudi Arabia in a few hours, still waiting for Covid-19 certificate

Mohammad Arif and his father Mohammad Shahidullah's flight to Saudi Arabia is at 12:30am tonight. But they have not yet received their Covid-19 certificates. They are counting every minute at a hotel in Dhaka's Fakirapool as they can't go to Saudi Arabia without the certificate. They don't know when to start for the airport.

How many Kulsums have to die!

According to her primary education certificate, Umme Kulsum was only 14-years-old. But to send her to Saudi Arabia as a domestic worker, her passport falsely portrayed her as 25—since that is the minimum age for women to go as labour workers to Saudi Arabia. But the dream that the middleman had sold to Kulsum’s family was broken within a year and a half when she returned to her family as a corpse.

How many Kulsums have to die!

Kulsum died on August 9 this year while undergoing treatment at the King Faisal Hospital in Saudi Arabia. Her lifeless body arrived in the country on September 12. The family claimed that her employer and his son had beaten Kulsum, breaking her legs and arms, as well as injuring her waist. Her eye was also damaged. Merciless as they were, she was left on the street in this miserable condition. Later, Saudi police rescued her and took her to the hospital where she died in a few months.

Covid-19 fallout: recruitments stalled, jobseekers worried

Soon after completing her MBA from Dhaka University last year, Fahmida Khan started looking for jobs. Her first choice was a government job for which the recruitment takes place through BCS exams.

Md Sohorab Hossain appointed new chairman of Public Service Commission

Md Sohorab Hossain has been appointed as the new chairman of Bangladesh Public Service Commission (PSC). He is a former senior secretary to the government.

An agonising wait for Rupali Bank’s officer post hopefuls

Students these days can finish their undergraduate-level education at public universities in Bangladesh in four years but some of them may have to wait another four years before they are offered a job by Rupali Bank.

Rupali Bank officer recruitment: 4 years since test, no result yet

A student can finish his honours degree in four years at public universities nowadays. Four years have passed after the circular, but the recruitment process for the state-owned Rupali Bank has not been completed yet. Seven months have passed since the final viva, but the results have not been published yet -- immensely frustrating the candidates.

Rayhan returns, head held high

He faced tough times for speaking out against Malaysia’s mistreatment of migrants

Detention in KL: Rayhan finally released, flies home today

Rayhan Kabir, a young Bangladeshi who was arrested in Malaysia, was finally released and he left for Dhaka on a Malaysian Airlines flight yesterday. He was scheduled to land in Dhaka at 1:00am today.

Rayhan Kabir returning home tonight from Malaysia

Rayhan Kabir, a young Bangladeshi arrested in Malaysia, has finally been released and is leaving for Dhaka on a Malaysian Airlines flight at 11:00pm local time (Kuala Lumpur). He is scheduled to land in Dhaka at 1:00am.

TV Interview: Rayhan not charged by Malaysia police

Malaysian police did not bring any charge against the young Bangladeshi Rayhan Kabir who was arrested in Malaysia and he will be sent back to Bangladesh soon.

Al Jazeera Interview: Malaysian court puts Rayhan on 13-day remand

A Malaysian court has granted a 13-day remand for Rayhan Kabir, the Bangladeshi youth arrested for talking to the media about the Malaysian government’s treatment of migrants during the Covid-19 pandemic, after he was brought to a court yesterday morning.

Rayhan Kabir remanded for 13 days, determined in statement

A Malaysian court has granted a 13-day remand for Rayhan Kabir, the Bangladeshi youth arrested for talking to the media about the Malaysian government's treatment of migrants during the Covid-19 pandemic, after he was brought to a court on Thursday morning.

‘My only crime is I am a Bengali’

“Let’s not talk about how I am now passing every moment, how I am struggling every second. I will put up that story for some other time. My only crime is I am a Bengali,” said Rayhan Kabir in a message to a friend before his arrest in Malaysia. Meanwhile, nine days have passed since his arrest. However, for Rayhan's family, time seems to stand still.

‘I only said what I’ve seen’

Mohammad Rayhan Kabir, a young Bangladeshi who spoke in a documentary aired by Al Jazeera and was arrested in Malaysia, said he only spoke of what he witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic. His intention, however, was not to offend anyone in Malaysia.

Only said what I’ve seen: Rayhan Kabir

Mohammad Rayhan Kabir, a young Bangladeshi who spoke in a documentary aired by Al Jazeera and was arrested in Malaysia, said he had said what he witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, his intention was not to offend anyone in Malaysia.

Bangladeshi in Al Jazeera documentary arrested: Telling truth is not a crime

Malaysian police have arrested Mohammad Rayhan Kabir, a young Bangladeshi who spoke in a documentary aired by Al Jazeera.

2,000 More Doctors: Recruitment urgent, process uncertain

The government is going to recruit 2,000 more doctors to tackle the Covid-19 crisis, but the doctors are worried about the recruitment process.

Govt to recruit 2,000 more doctors; process ambiguous

The government has decided to recruit 2,000 more doctors to tackle the Covid-19 crisis. The Ministry of Health has already sent a letter to the ministry of public administration demanding the appointments. However, doctors are worried about the process by which they will be recruited.

The end of quota

The final results of the 38th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations under the Public Service Commission (PSC) were published yesterday.

June 30, 2020

38th BCS final results published: 2,204 recommended

The final result of the 38th Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) examinations under the Public Service Commission (PSC) has been published. Some 2,204 candidates have been recommended provisionally for appointment to different cadres, said PSC officials. Of them, 613 were recommended for general cadres.

June 30, 2020