Caught up in uncertainty

Several thousand UAE-bound Bangladeshi expatriate workers are passing days in uncertainty over returning to the gulf country due to absence of rapid PCR test facilities of Covid-19 in Bangladesh airports.

Around 7,000 Bangladeshi expatriate workers returned home over the last several months, sources at different recruiting agencies said.

As there is no equipment for rapid PCR test, the system couldn't be introduced at the country's airports.

Sources at the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has said the initiative to buy a rapid PCR test machine is a "time consuming" matter.

After a three-month ban on flight operations due to pandemic, the UAE on August 4 allowed to carry passengers from Bangladesh and six other countries.

However, the condition is that passengers with a negative report can enter the UAE by testing for Covid-19 in the rapid PCR method right before departure.

"We will lose our jobs if we cannot return to our workplaces in the UAE. If the problem is not solved quickly, visas of many expatriate workers will expire," said UAE-bound Alim Hossain.

Workers said they will be forced to stage a movement if the government does not arrange rapid PCR tests facilities at the airports within a short time.

Workers have already organised human chains in different districts in this regard.

They have also submitted memorandum to the Prime Minister's Office and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment has written to DGHS to arrange rapid PCR test facilities at airports.

At a programme on August 23, Minister Imran Ahmad said they have not received a reply from the DGHS.

Contacted, a DGHS official said, "We have received a letter from the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare. But it is a time consuming matter to complete all the process..."