Bangladesh asked the Saudi government yesterday to extend the amnesty period beyond the July 3 deadline to allow its workers to rectify their status.
The appeal was made by visiting Foreign Minister Dipu Moni during her talks with Nizar Madani, state minister for foreign affairs, in Jeddah yesterday.
Madani told Moni that the request would be forwarded to the highest authority for consideration.
Moni is currently leading a seven-member official delegation to the Kingdom covering the major cities of Jeddah, Dammam and Riyadh.
Moni said it was unlikely that Bangladeshi expatriates would be able to complete their formalities within the stipulated period.
She handed letters of appreciation from President Muhammad Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for allowing Bangladesh workers to change their iqamas and seek new sponsors.
The Saudi government has warned that illegal workers staying in the Kingdom after the amnesty period would be fined SR 100,000 and jailed for two years.
Moni thanked King Abdullah and his government for helping Bangladesh over the years, particularly when the country was hit in 2007 and 2009 by devastating cyclones and natural disasters.
Both ministers agreed to work closely at various multilateral organizations and enhance relations in investment, trade, education and agriculture.
They also underscored the importance of interaction at the Joint Economic Commission and Joint Business Council for investment cooperation and hoped Saudi entrepreneurs would invest in Bangladesh.
Enhancing trade between the two countries was also discussed, particularly the export of quality pharmaceutical products, ready-made garments and ceramics from Bangladesh.
Moni also recalled the recent visit of a Saudi delegation to Dhaka that had been briefed on the Bangladesh government’s recruitment processes.
Earlier in the day, Moni visited the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah and saw the services provided to workers. She also spoke with Bangladeshi nationals who were applying for new passports and other consular services.
Moni will be in Dammam today and Riyadh Friday to attend the awards ceremony of the Bangladesh International School (English section) at the Riyadh Palace Hotel.
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