At least 500 jobless Bangladeshi workers have remained stranded in Kuwait for a long time, officials and family members said.
The workers were trapped by brokers in Bangladesh and some 'dishonest' sponsors in Kuwait. They went to the Middle East country in last two years.
However, the family members of the workers sought government intervention to ensure valid jobs for them as early as possible. They said each of the workers spent about Tk 700,000 to Tk 800,000 to go to the country.
So, they will face more difficulties if they come back home empty-handed.
Talking to the FE, Shahabul Alam, father of Riazul Islam, one of the workers, said a fraudulent company hired the Bangladeshi workers despite having no job demand in that country.
His son went to Kuwait one year back under a company named Al Kubra Logistics Experts for General Trading and Contracting Company.
But the company did not provide any job for his son, he added.
Like his son, more than 500 Bangladeshi workers have remained stranded in the oil-rich country, according to him.
Shahidul Islam Shimul, brother of Robiul Alam, another victim, said in fact, the company was involved in visa trading. With the help of a section of Bangladeshi middlemen, the company hired the workers.
As the workers had no valid documents, many of them were arrested by police while many others went into hiding.
"My brother informed me that a worker was arrested on Friday last," he added.
When asked about return of his brother, he said, "We don't want our brother to come back home as he spent a large amount of money as migration cost."
Robiul spent about Tk 800,000 to go to the country, he added.
Mr Shahabul Alam also sought the government intervention especially the Bangladesh Embassy in Kuwait to help arrange jobs for all the workers including his son.
He said they have recently submitted an application to the department concerned of the foreign ministry to this effect.
When contacted, Abdul Latif Khan, Bangladesh labour counsellor in Kuwait, told the FE that they have taken necessary steps to assist the workers in getting jobs.
"We have requested the authorities concerned of Kuwait not to send back the workers," he mentioned.
Kuwaiti police arrested the company owner and three other brokers involved in malpractice, he also added.
Since 1976, Bangladesh sent a total of 615,387 workers to the Middle East country, according to the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training.
