Bangla Press Desk: Widespread anxiety has gripped nearly 50 lakh Bangladeshi expatriates and their families as war-like tensions escalate across the Middle East.
Missiles are reportedly striking countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain at unpredictable times. Air travel to and from these countries has almost come to a halt, while governments are repeatedly urging residents to stay indoors for safety.Around 50 lakh Bangladeshis are currently living in these countries. Many of them are passing their days in fear and uncertainty, with little or no work available. Concerns over personal safety have become a major source of distress.
Back home, their families are equally worried, uncertain about the safety and return of their loved ones. Under such circumstances, the upcoming Eid has lost much of its joy for many families.Sources said that hundreds of domestic and international flights have been cancelled since February 28 due to the conflict triggered by attacks involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
So far, seven Bangladeshis have been reported killed—one each in Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, and Iraq, and three in Saudi Arabia. In addition, around 40,000 workers have been unable to travel to Middle Eastern countries over the past 18 days due to flight cancellations.
Bangladesh’s labour market is heavily dependent on the Middle East, with about 67 percent of migrants heading to Saudi Arabia. Qatar ranks second, followed by Kuwait, the UAE, and Jordan.
However, the ongoing situation has put the labour market at significant risk. Latifur Rahman, father of a migrant worker in Kuwait, said his son had planned to return home for Eid, but could not due to the situation. “We are living in fear. There are frequent explosions in Kuwait. We are constantly praying. There is no joy of Eid for us this year,” he said.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training, 95,092 workers went abroad in January, followed by 65,629 in February. In the first 17 days of March, only 33,805 workers were able to travel overseas—indicating a sharp decline compared to previous months.
Shariful Hasan, associate director of migration programmes at BRAC, said, “Around 5 to 6 million Bangladeshis live in the Middle East, and their family members number close to 30 million. Naturally, anxiety is widespread. If the conflict continues, it will impact jobs and remittance flows.”
The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment said in a recent notice that workers whose visas have expired or are about to expire during their stay in Bangladesh may apply for renewal online or through their employers. Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE have already extended certain visa durations by one month.
Officials added that although some casualties have occurred, workplaces in most areas remain operational. However, new migration has effectively stopped, and many workers are unable to either leave for jobs or return home for Eid.
Recruiting agencies said hundreds of workers from individual companies have been unable to travel in recent weeks, despite advance payments for flight tickets. Many now face uncertainty over visa validity and financial losses.
Migration experts warned that if the conflict persists, it will have a serious impact on the labour market. Business closures may lead to job losses, making it difficult for workers to find new employment. In such a scenario, a significant number of expatriates may be forced to return home.
Industry insiders from the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) said ongoing flight suspensions have disrupted travel to key destinations, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, and the UAE. They urged the government to continue diplomatic efforts to extend visa validity in affected countries.
Source: daily Sun
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