Expats turn to PM as Bahrain visa freeze continues

Bangladeshi expatriates in Bahrain are calling on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to intervene diplomatically, as a freeze on new labour visas in the Gulf island nation stretches into its eighth year.

Bahrain has effectively suspended new labour visas for Bangladeshi workers since 2018.

Around 150,000 expatriates in the country are grappling with staff shortages, business slowdowns, prolonged separation from family, and sudden job losses.

The crisis goes beyond labour visas.

Restrictions on family and visit visas have also made life harder for expatriates.

Asgar Ali, a Manama-based trading businessman from Chattogram’s Rangunia, said despite running his business for 21 years, the lack of a family visa has forced him to live apart from his family.�"bdnews24