Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday requested the United Arab Emirates to take necessary measures to prevent Bangladeshi workers from being fired and returning to the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.
He made the call during a phone conversation with UAE state minister for foreign affairs Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh.
He said Bangladeshi expatriates have been contributing to the development of UAE and requested the state minister to compensate with six months salaries and other benefits even if they are fired.
He also requested him to ensure food supply to those workers during this time of crisis. The state minister assured him of taking those measures. Dr Momen requested him to buy vegetables, Halal Chicken and beef from Bangladesh. Bangladeshi workers can be used for the agricultural development of the country.
He also invited UAE to join the ‘Covid19 Recovery and Response Fund’ created by Bangladesh for the welfare of the expatriate workers.
The UAE has been pushing Bangladesh and other countries to take back their citizens who became jobless due to the pandemic.
Dr Momen advised the state minister to send them in phases with coronavirus negative certificates so that quarantine facilities can be ensured in Dhaka upon their arrival.
He also thanked the UAE for sending masks, hand sanitisers during the crisis.
