KSA deports another 105 Bangladeshis

Bangladeshi labourers. Prothom Alo File Photo
Bangladeshi labourers. Prothom Alo File Photo

Saudi Arabia has sent back another batch of Bangladeshis amid a crackdown on illegal workers although a number of the returnees say they have legal documents, reports UNB.

Two flights of Saudi Airlines 'SV 804' and 'SV 802' carrying 105 workers landed at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 11:20pm and 1:15am respectively, said Shariful Hasan, head of Brac Migration Programme.

Mohiuddin, hailing from Munshiganj, said he had been staying in Saudi Arabia legally for 10 years. "Saudi police arrested me two days ago and did not let me go even after I showed them my 'Iqama' (legal permit to live and work in the Kingdom). They beat me up when I asked them why I was being arrested," he said.

Many others, including Shamim, hailing from Pirojpur, shared similar stories. "I went to Saudi Arabia three months ago spending Tk 3.5 lakh but was forcefully sent back despite having valid documents," he said.

BRAC migration programme head Shariful said 441 Bangladeshi workers had been sent back home this month alone by Saudi Arabia.

Brac has provided necessary assistance to the Bangladeshi workers sent back from the Kingdom.

"So far, 10,000 to 11,000 Bangladeshi workers have been sent back home this year," Shariful said.

"Many of them said they have legal documents. The embassy and ministry can try to find out why the workers were deported. This is important to save future expatriate workers from harassment," he added.