There is growing pressure for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to resume work permits and tourist visas for Bangladeshi nationals. The prolonged suspension of the visa process is straining Bangladesh’s labor market and depriving thousands of workers of employment opportunities in the Gulf nation.
Speaking on the crisis, Commercially Important Person (CIP) and entrepreneur Shefali Akhter noted that despite high demand, visa complexities prevent new workers from entering the country. This has left Bangladeshi business owners in the UAE in a bind. While they have the capacity to expand, they are forced to hire from other nations because they cannot recruit their own compatriots.
"The Bangladesh government must take urgent diplomatic steps," Akhter stated. "This deadlock can only be broken through high-level bilateral meetings and formal agreements."
The UAE remains a critical source of remittance for Bangladesh, with cities like Dubai and Sharjah hosting a significant workforce in the construction, service, and transportation sectors. Industry insiders warn that the current stalemate is not only reducing job opportunities but also increasing operational costs for Bangladeshi-owned businesses abroad. Expatriates are now calling for immediate government intervention to restore Bangladesh’s standing in the UAE labor market.
