Stuck expats on fast unto death for RT-PCR lab at Dhaka airport
Skip to main content
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
July 02, 2022

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Economy
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • World+Biz
  • Sports
  • Features
  • Epaper
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • COVID-19
    • Bangladesh
    • Splash
    • Videos
    • Games
    • Long Read
    • Infograph
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Thoughts
    • Podcast
    • Quiz
    • Tech
    • Archive
    • Trial By Trivia
    • Magazine
    • Supplement
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JULY 02, 2022
Stuck expats on fast unto death for RT-PCR lab at Dhaka airport

Migration

Kamran Siddiqui
14 September, 2021, 01:15 pm
Last modified: 14 September, 2021, 11:07 pm

Related News

  • Over 400 Bangladeshis cross Ukraine border: MoFA
  • 24 Bangladeshis escape Ukraine, reach Bangladesh Embassy in Poland
  • Panic grips Bangladeshi migrants amidst attacks in Ukraine
  • No more RT-PCR test at airport for UAE-bound passengers 
  • No RT-PCR test needed to visit Bhutan

Stuck expats on fast unto death for RT-PCR lab at Dhaka airport

Kamran Siddiqui
14 September, 2021, 01:15 pm
Last modified: 14 September, 2021, 11:07 pm
Photo: TBS
Photo: TBS

 Highlight 

  • The UAE seeks Covid test report received within 6 hours before departure
  • 40,000-50,000 UAE migrants are unable to return to work
  • The UAE has around 12 lakh Bangladeshi workers, the second highest after Saudi Arabia  
  • Visas of many migrants have expired 

Inward foreign remittance is likely to decline further if thousands of migrant workers cannot fly back to the United Arab Emirates to rejoin work for the lack of RT PCR labs at international airports in the country. 

About 40,000-50,000 migrants are stuck here because the destination country seeks a report of a Covid test done within six hours before travellers have boarded their flights. 

Many of them have got their visas expired while some worry that they may lose their jobs if they cannot reach the UAE in time.  

This is the backdrop to stranded returnees having gone on fast unto death in front of the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry at Eskaton in the capital on Tuesday, demanding setting up of a Covid testing facility at every international airport. 

The UAE, according to an unofficial estimate, has around 12 lakh Bangladeshi workers, the second highest after Saudi Arabia.  

They sent home nearly $2440 million in the last fiscal year, which was the 3rd highest country-wise inward remittance.

Asif Munier, a migration expert told TBS, "We have been observing mismanagement in handling the migration process of stranded migrants amid the pandemic. Earlier, the returnees have demonstrated over tickets, vaccine and quarantine fees. Now, they are struggling for RT PCR test facilities."

Though these are temporary problems, they have long lasting negative impacts on remittance.

Meanwhile, at a cabinet meeting on 6 September, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina instructed the authorities concerned to install RT-PCR testing facilities at the international airports in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Sylhet within the next two to three days.

Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmed could not say even on Tuesday as to when PCR tests will begin at the airports. 

#Bangladeshi expats on #hungerstrike for #RTPCR lab at #airports #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/2zLyhOFtAI— The Business Standard (@tbsnewsdotnet) September 14, 2021

At a press briefing, he said the authority would decide who would get the job by the end of the day. 

One or more companies from the private healthcare sector may get the job. The health ministry will make the decision. The company selection will depend on how fast results are turned up after tests and low cost. 

The selected company or companies will inform when to roll out the PCR testing facility, said the overseas employment minister. 

Woes of migrants

To hold a demonstration on Tuesday morning, 100 agitated expatriates gathered in front of the expatriates' welfare ministry. 

Md Giasuddin from Gazipur said the situation had become unbearable for those unable to return to their workplaces. 

"I have been in the country for nearly nine months. I had to borrow over Tk4 lakh to cover the expenses of my family."

Gias lamented the delay in setting up PCR labs despite assurances while migrants are at risk of losing jobs. 

"My visa expiry date is getting closer. I bought a ticket to the UAE in June. That expired already," he said. 

Another returnee, Ashiqul Islam Shohag awaits his departure to Abu Dhabi. 

He complained that migrants were unable to return though the UAE government had eased travel restrictions. 

A group of returnees from the demonstration went to attend a meeting with Minister Imran Ahmed at his office. 

One of them, Salah Uddin told The Business Standard that they wanted a specific deadline, by which the testing facility would become available.  

"The minister assured us that the deadline will be set by Wednesday. That is why we decided to call off the hunger strike for now," he added. 

The UAE suspended flights from Bangladesh, India and Pakistan in April amid a spike in COVID cases due to the Delta variant. 

On Friday, it relaxed certain rules so that its residents can return including those stuck in Bangladesh, reports Khaleej Times. 

However, passengers must produce a Covid test result received within six hours of departure. 

The inflow of remittance from expatriate Bangladeshis, which maintained an upward trend throughout the last fiscal year amid the pandemic, dropped by 19% year-on-year in the first two months of the current fiscal year.

Bangladesh / Top News

Bangladeshi Migrant / Bangladeshi migrants / RT-PCR / RT-PCR lab / RT-PCR reports / PCR test facilities / Covid-19 PCR Test

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Bangladesh’s maiden underwater expressway tunnel under the Karnaphuli river is expected to open to traffic this December. About 87% of work has already completed and the installation of the road surface is underway in the first tube of the tunnel. PHOTO: Courtesy
    Karnaphuli tunnel: A potential harbinger of growth
  • Condominiums: A way to spacious living
    Condominiums: A way to spacious living
  • Foreign Policy Illustration
    The 1970s weren’t what you think

MOST VIEWED

  • Photo:Courtesy
    Illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in Maldives 'must collect visas'
  • BMET warns aspirant Malaysia migrants of being cheated as another deadline misses
    BMET warns aspirant Malaysia migrants of being cheated as another deadline misses
  • On rafts they came. Photo: Salahuddin Ahmed Paulash/TBS
    At least 23 Rohingyas died during migration last year: IOM
  • Ikhlas president Mohd Ridzuan Abdullah (right) speaks to the media after making a police report. Photo: Hari Anggara
    Malaysian Police urged to probe minister over 'inconsistencies' regarding Bangladeshi recruitment deal
  • Representational image. Photo: Mumit M/TBS
    Illegal ‘visa trading’ augments migrants’ woes
  • Malaysian minister backtracks on recruitment syndicate remark
    Malaysian minister backtracks on recruitment syndicate remark

Related News

  • Over 400 Bangladeshis cross Ukraine border: MoFA
  • 24 Bangladeshis escape Ukraine, reach Bangladesh Embassy in Poland
  • Panic grips Bangladeshi migrants amidst attacks in Ukraine
  • No more RT-PCR test at airport for UAE-bound passengers 
  • No RT-PCR test needed to visit Bhutan

Features

The eye-catching commuter: Suzuki Gixxer SF 155

The eye-catching commuter: Suzuki Gixxer SF 155

4h | Wheels
Photo: Collected

Sapiens – A Graphic History 

1d | Book Review
Black-naped Monarch male  Photo: Enam Ul Haque

Black-naped Monarch: A sovereign who never abandoned the Indian subcontinent

1d | Panorama
The 136-year-old company on its last legs

The 136-year-old company on its last legs

1d | Features

More Videos from TBS

Dhaka University celebrating 102nd founding anniversary today

Dhaka University celebrating 102nd founding anniversary today

1d | Videos
Ctg Int'l Trade Fair returns after a 2-year hiatus without Covid restrictions

Ctg Int'l Trade Fair returns after a 2-year hiatus without Covid restrictions

1d | Videos
Bangladeshis among top 6 nationalities seeking asylum in Europe

Bangladeshis among top 6 nationalities seeking asylum in Europe

1d | Videos
RUET organises Robotronics 2.0

RUET organises Robotronics 2.0

1d | Videos

Most Read

1
Padma Bridge from satellite. Photo: Screengrab
Bangladesh

Padma Bridge from satellite 

2
Meet the man behind 'Azke amar mon balo nei'
Splash

Meet the man behind 'Azke amar mon balo nei'

3
Photo: TBS
Bangladesh

Motorcycles banned on Padma Bridge 

4
Photo: Collected
Economy

Tech startup ShopUp bags $65m in Series B4 funding

5
World Bank to give Bangladesh $18b IDA loans in next five years
Economy

World Bank to give Bangladesh $18b IDA loans in next five years

6
Investor Hiru fined Tk2cr for market manipulation
Stocks

Investor Hiru fined Tk2cr for market manipulation

EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2022
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab
BENEATH THE SURFACE
The Dazzling Fake Flowers: Is there any alternative to artificial flowers while decorating homes, showrooms, offices and business establishments? Fresh flowers are undoubtedly beautiful, but they dry out quickly. Hence, the demand for plastic flowers is rising day by day. Traders said these lifelike silk flowers usually come from China and Thailand. The photo was taken from the 29th International Trade Fair of the Chattogram Chamber on Friday. PHOTO: Mohammad Minhaj Uddin

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net