Many Bangladeshi businessmen are suffering from an acute labour crisis in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as they cannot recruit workers from Bangladesh. Due to this, they have to recruit foreign nationals like those from India, Nepal and Pakistan, but here language creates a barrier. As a result, Bangladeshi businessmen are not getting the desired benefits.
Our expatriates' welfare minister has assured that soon the UAE will reopen visas for Bangladeshis, but no tangible initiatives are in sight. This is frustrating. The UAE is one of the most favourite destinations for Bangladeshi workers. Many young people are eager to go there to earn valuable foreign currency.
I hope the Bangladesh government will take this matter seriously and talk with their counterpart, and solve the lingering problem. The UAE has not issued visas to Bangladeshis since 2012. Bangladesh is losing considerably due to UAE's visa stoppage. Bangladeshi businessmen in the UAE are suffering due to worker-shortage. We are not being able to export new manpower to this lucrative destination for non-issuance of visas. Approximately, 80 per cent of our total migrant workers are stationed in the Middle East.
The region is a big market for us with lots of potential.
Mohammad Sohel Hara
Bonoshree, Dhaka
sohelhara@hotmail.com
For resumption of UAE visas
FE Team | Published: September 04, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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