Spl cards to be given to expatriate workers

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Adviser for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Thursday said cards with special status would be given to the expatriate workers, who will annually send home money equivalent to US$ 5,000 each through legal channel, reports BSS.
The cardholding expatriates would be provided special facilities at the airport on their return home, the adviser said.
Besides, he said, special facilities will also be given to them for admission of their children to educational institutions and at hospitals for their family members and in allocation of government plots.
Dr Iftekhar was addressing as the chief guest a discussion at the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry in the city on the occasion of the International Day of Migrants.
Expatriate Welfare Secretary Abdul Matin Chowdhury and Director General of BMET Abdul Malek also spoke on the occasion. Dr Tasnim Siddiqui of Dhaka University presented the keynote paper.
The adviser said the present government has undertaken a nine-point strategic paper realising the importance of immigration for a populous country like Bangladesh.
As a result, he said, a revolution has taken place in terms of employment abroad and earning remittances. In 2007, 832,000 workers went abroad where the number was 381,000 in 2006, the adviser said, adding employment for 850,000 workers was generated until December 15.
Dr Iftekhar said the amount of remittance has exceeded eight billion dollars in 2008. Despite recession, he said, the footing of Bangladesh's economy is still strong.
Earlier, the adviser inaugurated a rally on the occasion of the International Day of Migrants.
The rally, joined by Expatriates’ Welfare Secretary Abdul Matin Chowdhury, BMET DG Abdul Malek and BAIRA President Golam Mostafa, started from the National Museum premises and ended in front of the High Court.