100-bed facility for outgoing workers at Hajj Camp announced

A separate 100-bed accommodation facility will be introduced at the Ashkona Hajj Camp in the capital to provide overnight stay facilities for outgoing workers in emergency situations, said Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haq Chowdhury.

He made the announcement on Sunday (July 26) morning after visiting the Ashkona Hajj Camp.

The minister said the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry's 'Wage Earners' Centre' currently has accommodation for 49 people. However, to reduce the hardship of expatriate workers in crisis situations or when flights are suddenly cancelled, an additional 100 beds will be arranged at the Hajj Camp, which is located close to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

He said the proposed accommodation will have 50 beds for men and a separate 50 beds for women. The entire initiative will be funded by the ministry's 'Wage Earners' Welfare Board'.

Highlighting the pro-expatriate policies, Ariful Haq Chowdhury said the current government is fully committed to increasing facilities for expatriates. Flights are often delayed or cancelled due to war, adverse weather or other reasons. In such situations, expatriates face accommodation crises at the airport. Once the bed facility is introduced at the Hajj Camp, their suffering will be significantly reduced.

During the visit, he was accompanied by Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed, Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad and senior officials of the Hajj Camp.