BSS) - Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul today said a dedicated hospital for the expatriates will soon be established in the capital’s Gulshan.

“The Expatriate Hospital, aimed at serving the welfare of migrant workers, will be operated by returnee expatriates, who will also have the opportunity to become owner through purchasing shares,” he said while addressing a programme here as the chief guest.

The Wage Earners’ Welfare Board organized the event at the Prabashi Auditorium in the Prabashi Kalyan Bhaban.

The event marked the distribution of various welfare benefits, including scholarships, disability allowances, medical assistance for ill expatriates, financial grants to the families of deceased migrants, and disbursement of insurance and death compensation cheques.

The programme was presided over by Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates` Welfare and Overseas Employment.

At the event, the adviser distributed cheques totaling Tk 1,93,13,000. Of which, financial assistance of Tk 36 lakh was given to 12 families, Tk 21 lakh in educational scholarships to 65 expatriate families, insurance claims of Tk 1.04 crore to 11 individuals, Tk 27.67 lakh in compensation or arrears to two families, Tk 3.30 lakh in medical assistance to three individuals, and Tk 1.20 lakh in disability allowances was given to 10 people.

Highlighting the government’s ongoing initiatives for the betterment of expatriates, Asif Nazrul stated, "We’re working tirelessly and with utmost sincerity to restore the rights, welfare, and dignity of our expatriates."

He also referred to the Chief Adviser`s efforts in supporting migrants who had been detained for backing the anti-discrimination student movement. "Not only they were brought back home, but each of them was also given Tk 50,000 upon return," he added.

Mentioning the long-standing issue of unjustified harassment of migrant workers at airports, the adviser said that several steps have already been taken to eliminate such practices and ensure respectful treatment of expatriates.

"Airport staffers have been given strict instructions to treat expatriates with dignity," he added.

Asif Nazrul also referred the inauguration of a dedicated “Expatriate Lounge” at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 1 last year by Chief Adviser, offering amenities such as quality food at reduced prices up to 30 percent, free Wi-Fi, telephone services, mobile charging stations, and other facilities.

To further ease the experience for expatriates and returnees, additional staffers have been deployed at the Expatriate Welfare Desk at the airport, he said.

On the somber matter of deceased expatriates, Asif Nazrul mentioned that, on average, 15 to 20 bodies of migrant workers are repatriated to Bangladesh daily.

In a significant policy shift, ambulance services for transporting these bodies are now completely free, which required fee in the past.

Plans are also underway to purchase two additional freezing ambulances, he added.

The adviser said directive has been given to streamline services provided by the Welfare Board and introduce new ones. He shared that steps have already been taken to draft laws and regulations to better ensure expatriate welfare.

He also highlighted the strengthening of the “Probasbandhu Call Center”, operated by the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board, and the establishment of an Expatriate Support Center at the Probashi Kalyan Bhaban to provide comprehensive service guidance.

For temporary accommodation, Asif Nazrul announced a plan to convert a 50-bed dormitory at the Wage Earners’ Center in the capital’s Khilkhet into a modern 200-bed facility. Once completed, it will offer safe, affordable lodging and meals for expatriates and returnees from across the country, he added.

He further revealed that Wage Earners` Centers in various districts will be transformed into expatriate complexes, equipped with orientation and briefing services, language education, and skill training for prospective migrant workers.