Italy to increase output of processed visa applications

FE REPORT
Italy embassy in Bangladesh has assured that the output of processed visa applications would be increased for Bangladeshi migrant workers.
Applicants were also assured that their 'nulla osta' (work permit) would not expire once they submitted an application or requested an appointment to do so.
The Italy embassy made the assurance in a notification on Monday after several hundred working visa applicants staged a demonstration demanding a quick reply to their applications.
In the notification, the embassy also urged the job seekers not to pay or trust any intermediaries, who are the main cause of the current delay.
"Earlier applicants were also urged not to submit fake or false documents. Creating false documents or financial statements is a serious offense under both Italian and Bangladeshi law. A proper investigation is also underway in Italy in such act."
The workers staging a peaceful demonstration at the Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed Park in Gulshan of the capital demanded the return of passports along with Italian visas on an urgent basis in the morning on the day.
The applicants complained that the embassy had given 90 days processing time while applying for the agricultural visa.
But many of the applicants did not return their passports for two to two-and-a-half years. On the other hand, they are unable to go to alternative countries as they do not have passports. Bangladesh Migrants Development Association says that the passports of more than 100,000 Bangladeshi citizens who want to go to Italy are stuck in the embassy.
Therefore, they drew the attention of the Chief Adviser of the interim government to resolve the matter quickly.
The Italian embassy voiced its commitment to increase the output of processed applications and presented some initiatives undertaken with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome, including the formation of a dedicated task force.
The embassy said that the deputy head of mission of the embassy held a meeting with some representatives of the applicants in view of the demands.
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