The country is standing at a crossroads as we strive hard to turn around. In such a time, news of Bangladeshi migrant workers coming back from Saudi Arabia creates fresh tensions.
According to a report published in The Business Standard, hundreds of workers are heading back home from Saudi Arabia because of skyrocketing Iqama fees. Around 350 migrant workers are now coming back home every day as they struggle to clear Iqama fees, the money that is given to the Saudi authorities for getting work permits. For many Bangladeshi labours, the existing Iqama fee (11,000 Saudi riyals per year) is more than their annual income, forcing them to return home.
The burden of Iqama fee presents before us a grim reality as the country is on the verge of losing the largest labour destination. If this market also goes out of our reach, it will have serious impacts on our economy along with snowball effects on our foreign exchange reserve. While the news of a substantial increase in the remittances sent by Bangladeshis living abroad elated us back in September, bad news coming from Saudi market deals a heavy blow.
This issue warrants immediate attention. We cannot afford to lose another significant market since Malaysian market has already shrunk. The interim government will have to engage with Riyadh immediately to find out a solution. If necessary, a high-level delegation could be sent to have formal discussions with the Saudi authorities regarding this.
Dr Yunus earlier exhibited his prudence and diplomatic acuity when he requested the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to pardon 57 Bangladeshis who were sentenced to long prison terms for waging protests during the July uprising. We expect similar kind of diplomatic response from our chief adviser this time as well. The interim government must request the Saudi authorities to reconsider the Iqama fee and if possible, decrease it for poor Bangladeshi workers.  
Saudi Arabia is a very vital market for Bangladeshis. All-out efforts should be given to resolve this problem. At the same time, the country should also explore other potential markets for both skilled and non-skilled workers. If a large number of migrant workers come back home, it will have adverse impacts on our remittance earning, putting strain on the overall economy and jeopardising the possibility of a quick economic rebound.