Minister says four Bangladeshi workers died after ‘being forced into’ Russia's military campaign

At least four Bangladeshi workers have died after 30 were allegedly forced into Russia's military campaign against Ukraine following their recruitment for jobs there, the expatriates' welfare minister has told parliament.

Responding to a question from Lalmonirhat-1 MP Md Hasan Rajib Prodhan, Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said three recruiting agencies sent the workers to Russia on Apr 24 after obtaining manpower clearance from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET).

He identified the agencies by RL numbers 1455, 1428 and 2505.

The government acted after receiving reports that the workers were being compelled to undergo military preparation and were being sent from camps to the battlefield, the minister said.

As a result, the government wrote to the Bangladesh Embassy in Moscow on Jun 15, instructing it to take the necessary steps to rescue the stranded workers and facilitate their return.

The government says it is working with Russian authorities to bring the remaining Bangladeshi workers home.