Govt to take steps to solve problems of expatriates in Maldives: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said her government would take measures to solve the problems are currently facing the Bangladeshi expatriates in the Maldives.

"I had successful bilateral talks with Maldivian president. The matter of legalising the undocumented Bangladeshi workers came prominently in the dialogue," she said in a reception accorded to her by Bangladeshi expatriates in the Maldives.

The Prime Minister said that they would take prompt measures so that the Bangladeshi expatriates can send their hard-earned money in Maldivian currency directly without converting it into dollars for which they have to face losses.

She directed the authorities concerned including Bangladesh Bank to take measures to solve the crisis, saying, "I think it can be solved easily."

The Prime Minister said that they would consider setting up a government bank branch and money exchange in the Maldives.

Addressing virtually the reception from her place of residence, Sheikh Hasina said that her government is going to introduce flights of the national flag carrier Bangladesh Biman alongside the private airline's flights to ease the communication between Bangladesh and Maldives.

Bangladeshi expatriates from different parts of Maldives gathered at Iskandhar School Auditorium, Chaandhanee Magu in Male to attend the reception.

The Prime Minister said Bangladeshi foreign and expatriate welfare ministers have held talks with the Bangladeshi expatriates in the Maldives about their problems.

She said her government would take measures accordingly to solve the issues.

The premier reiterated her call to go abroad for jobs through the legal channel without going to brokers as they do not get the promised jobs and get a lower salary.

She said the Bangladesh government has set up a digital centre at each of the unions as part of the government's move to digitize the country.

"Go abroad after registering your names through the digital centres," she said.

The Prime Minister said no one is required to sell their home or land for going abroad as they can take loans from Probasi Kallayan Bank for this.

Sheikh Hasina, who is now on a six-day bilateral visit to the Maldives, said her government had sent medical supplies for Bangladeshi expatriates in the Maldives to face the Covid-19 onslaught.

She thanked the Maldivian government for bringing all the Bangladeshi expatriates, including the undocumented ones, under Covid-19 vaccination free of cost.

The Prime Minister said that her government has sent water-purifier machines to Maldives to solve drinking water problem of Bangladeshi expatriates in that country.

She said her government is going to purchase two cargo vessels for solving the problems of carrying goods.

The Prime Minister said that after the Covid-19 outbreak, her government brought back home 10 000 Bangladeshis from abroad.

Sheikh Hasina, also president of the Awami League, said her government would continue the development spree facing all the conspiracies hatched by the anti-liberation elements and the killers.

"Our country is marching ahead today, and it will definitely go forward. None can play foul with the fate of the people of the country," she added.

Referring to the country’s foreign policy - "Friendship to all, malice to none” - she said, "We are marching forward maintaining good relations with all."

The Prime Minister said that a very special relation has developed with Maldives, adding that her government is considering doing trade and business with Maldives and exporting goods cashing on the relations.

Sheikh Hasina said she wants that every Bangladeshi would step forward with self-confidence.

"We have done everything required for the betterment of your future generation," she said, referring to transforming Bangladesh into a developing nation and formulating the Delta Plan-2100 to continue the development spree generation after generation.

The Prime Minister vowed to transform Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous country by 2041 as envisioned by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.