The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MOEWOE) will bear the costs of COVID-19 tests at the RT-PCR laboratories of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) for United Arab Emirates-bound workers.
MOEWOE Minister Imran Ahmed gave the information at an exchange meeting with Bangladeshi expatriates at the Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi of the United Arab Emirates Saturday afternoon, reports UNB.
The minister said his ministry will bear the Tk 1,600 costs for the workers flying to the UAE.
“Expatriate workers are remittance fighters of our country. Their contribution to the country's economy is undeniable,” he said.
“The government is working to ensure their welfare. As part of this, the ministry will pay Tk 1,600 for the COVID-19 test at the airport for workers going to the UAE,” the minister noted.
Earlier this week, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) received the notification of arrival approval from the United Arab Emirates regarding operations of RT-PCR laboratories at the airport for COVID-19 testing of passengers bound for the country.
The UAE has made it mandatory for passengers travelling from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and some other countries to undergo a rapid PCR test at the airports six hours prior to their departure.
According to Khaleej Times, Bangladeshi nationals are the third largest foreign workforce in the UAE, making up around 7.4 per cent of the country’s 8.84 million foreign workers.