Published : 08 Sep 2026, 12:37 AM
Updated : 16 Sep 2026, 11:48 AM
Bangladeshis returning home on leave from the United Arab Emirates are seeking monthly allowances, rehabilitation and alternative jobs after their visas were cancelled, leaving them unemployed.
They made the demands at a briefing at the Press Club in Dhaka on Monday under the banner “Amra Remittance Joddha” (We Are Remittance Fighters).
Mohammad Abul Kalam, speaking for the platform, said: “Many expatriates have become unemployed after their visas were automatically cancelled upon returning home on leave. This has pushed them into financial hardship.”
They called for monthly expatriate support allowances of Tk 15,000-20,000 for them and their families until rehabilitation, jobs in suitable alternative countries if returning to the UAE is not possible, and continued allowances until such relocation.
They also demanded high-level diplomatic talks with the UAE to quickly resolve visa complications and enable affected workers to return to their previous jobs.
They sought more effective and accessible services from the Bangladesh Embassy and consulates.
They called for permanent solutions to visa renewal, reinstatement and other administrative complications facing Bangladeshis currently in the UAE, as well as measures by both countries to secure employment and legal status for workers living and working there legally.
They also demanded specific pension or welfare allowance programmes for expatriate Bangladeshis.
The UAE began cancelling visas for many Bangladeshis in July. Bangladesh had given the UAE a list of 985 people whose visas had been cancelled as of Aug 3.
But State Minister for Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque said in a Facebook post on Sunday that 4,000 Bangladeshis were on the cancellation list.
He said, “We are aware of the 4,000 Bangladeshis whose visas have been cancelled. Diplomatic efforts are underway to resolve the matter.”
