Three employees suspended on state minister's order over bribery, fraud

Three employees have been suspended for taking bribes in the name of disbursing financial aid to the family of a deceased expatriate worker and taking money by promising loans. Two of them are employees of the Wage Earners' Welfare Board and one is an employee of the Expatriates' Welfare Bank.

The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment confirmed the matter in a press release on Saturday, May 23. The suspensions were ordered by Expatriates' Welfare State Minister Md Nurul Haque.

The suspended employees are security guard Md Shafi Uddin and office assistant Palash Chandra Ray of the Wage Earners' Welfare Board, and peon Shamim of the Expatriates' Welfare Bank.

Shafi Uddin and Palash Chandra Ray allegedly took cash from the family of deceased expatriate worker Md Kayum in exchange for processing the approval of financial aid for the family. Shamim allegedly took money from an individual by promising to arrange a loan.

The complainants and the victim's family approached the state minister with video evidence. The state minister then visited the office of the accused with the Director General of the Wage Earners' Welfare Board and verified the allegations, ordering swift action.

The ministry's press release stated that the conduct of the accused employees has tarnished the image of the institution and constituted a breach of discipline. They have been suspended according to relevant rules but will receive subsistence allowance during the suspension period.

The state minister warned that the government will follow a zero tolerance policy against any irregularity, corruption or harassment in serving expatriate workers and their families. Negligence or irregularities in serving expatriates even at the embassy level abroad will not be tolerated.