Bangladeshi workers stuck on leave, Bahrain returns in doubt over flight crunch

Visa expiries are closing in for many workers, raising fears of job loss as employers may move to replace them

Many Bangladeshi expatriates who work in Bahrain but were holidaying at home have found themselves stranded amid the sudden travel crunch caused by the recent conflict in the Middle East.

Dwindling flight frequencies and a sharp spike in airfares have sparked widespread anxiety among workers struggling to return to their posts.

Affected migrants say tickets have become scarce due to reduced flight frequency, while the few available seats are priced several times higher than usual.

For low-income workers, buying a new ticket at such rates is out of the question, pushing their return plans into uncertainty.

Many travellers find their confirmed return bookings lapsing as dates pass without available aircraft, leading to significant financial hits.

Mohammad Mohiuddin, from Chattogram’s Anwara, had a return ticket for Apr 12 but said he is now uncertain about whether he can make it.

He said missing the scheduled flight would force him to buy a new ticket at inflated rates, something beyond his means as a regular worker.

Employed at a fish processing company in Bahrain, he urged the Bangladesh embassy to intervene so he can return quickly.

Abu Hasan, a worker at a fish processing facility in Sitra, Bahrain, had a similar story.

He travelled to Bangladesh on leave on Feb 12, with a return flight booked on Air Arabia for Apr 3. The ticket has since been cancelled due to the conflict.

Hasan, from East Dumuria in Anwara, said the current ticket prices are far beyond his budget, leaving him anxious about whether his job will still be there if he cannot return on time.

Beyond the logistical nightmare, the optics of the situation are worsened by expiring visas.

Several workers fear their employers might move to recruit replacements if they remain stuck.

With their income suspended, these families now face a dual financial and psychological strain, prompting urgent pleas for the government to arrange special flights.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Bahrain Mohammad Rais Hasan Sarower said the embassy is on alert to support affected migrants.

He advised that those holding flexible or Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) visas nearing expiry can apply for renewal through representatives or relatives in Bahrain.

He also urged those on company or conditional resident (CR) visas to contact their employers or sponsor organisations without delay.

For legal complications or assistance, migrants have been asked to reach out to the embassy’s labour wing.