BNP proposals to bring back expats from Libya

Blaming the government for indulging in rhetoric, opposition BNP has put forward a seven-point recommendation for the government to quickly bring back the stranded Bangladeshi workers from troubled Libya including sending of civil vessels and military aircrafts, reports UNB. The party has termed 'absurd and shameful' the government initiatives in evacuating and repatriating the Bangladeshi workers from Libya. BNP chairperson's adviser Dr Osman Farrok placed the recommendations at a press conference at Khaleda Zia's Gulshan office in the city Monday. The recommendations include diverting some flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines to Libya, sending some ships of the Shipping Ministry to Libya and if necessary, sending military aircraft, shifting staff of different Bangladesh missions near Libya and Tunisia to Bangladesh Embassy in Libya to strengthen its manpower. BNP also recommended Foreign Minister and Expatriate Welfare Minister to go personally to Libya to arrange evacuation of the Bangladeshi workers as well as taking help from rich businessmen of the country if the government has financial constraints in bringing back the Bangladeshi workers. BNP vice-chairman Sha­m­sher Mobin Chow­dhury, who was present at the conference, said Bangladesh missions abroad keep 10 per cent of the money realised from the Bangladeshis as passport renewal fees for emergency needs and welfare of the workers. He said there is large deposit of such money with the Bangladesh missions and there should not be any financial problem for bringing the Bangladeshi workers as the deposited money with one embassy could be used for another.