Riyadh urged to extend amnesty time for Bangladeshi workers

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni (right) during her talks with Nizar Madani, state minister for foreign affairs, in Jeddah on Wednesday. Photo: ArabNews

Bangladesh has requested Saudi Arabia to extend the July 3 amnesty deadline for Bangladeshi workers allowing them to rectify their status in the Kingdom.

The amnesty, declared on May 10, allows irregular foreign workers to have their status legalised or return home without facing any penalty.

Officials of Bangladesh embassy in Riyadh earlier told The Daily Star that there are around 12 lakh Bangladeshi workers in the Arab country, and four lakh of them could take advantage of the 3-month amnesty.

However, until now only around 2 lakh workers have completed their paperwork.

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni made the appeal at a meeting with Saudi State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Nizar Obaid Madani in Jeddah on Wednesday, reported Riyadh-based newspaper Arab News on Thursday.

In response, Madani told Dipu Moni that the request would be forwarded to the highest authority for consideration.

Dipu Moni, who is currently leading a seven-member official delegation to the Kingdom, said it was unlikely that Bangladeshi expatriates would be able to complete their formalities within the stipulated period.

Arab News reported that Dipu Moni handed over the letters of appreciation to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for allowing Bangladeshi workers to change their residency permits and seek new employers.

President Muhammad Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wrote the letters.

The Saudi government has warned that illegal workers staying in the Kingdom after the amnesty period would be fined SR 100,000 and jailed for two years.

The Bangladeshi foreign minister thanked King Abdullah and his government for helping Bangladesh over the years, particularly when the country was hit in 2007 and 2009 by devastating cyclones and natural disasters.

Both ministers agreed to work closely at various multilateral organisations and enhance relations in investment, trade, education and agriculture.

Earlier, Dipu Moni visited the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah and spoke with Bangladeshi nationals who were applying for new passports and other consular services.

Dipu Moni will be in Dammam on Thursday and in Riyadh on Friday to attend the awards ceremony of the Bangladesh International School (English section) at the Riyadh Palace Hotel.