Workers' problems, adverse campaign discussed

Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Major General (Retd) SM Ikramul Haque yesterday called on Speaker of the Saudi Shura Council Dr Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid to resolve the problem as there has been some adverse publicity against some Bangladeshi workers over there.
“The matter was also discussed in the Shura,” said a foreign ministry release.
“Dr Saleh has visited Bangladesh twice and is seen as a friend of Bangladeshis," it said.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry yesterday said it was reported in Saudi media that some Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia were allegedly engaged in claiming shops illegally, selling banned CDs, running illegal telephone business and printing fake currency.
Besides, by violating the Saudi laws, Bangladeshi workers started `gherao', ransacking and strike to press home their various demands, according to Saudi newspaper and media reports.
“A negative impact on Bangladesh's largest labour market cannot be allowed due to unlawful acts by a handful of Bangladeshis,” he said.
The Ministry has already asked the Bangladeshi workers to abide by the Saudi laws.
The Bangladesh mission in Saudi Arabia has been instructed to report to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates' Welfare on the situation on a regular basis.