Riyadh Crisis Exposes Gaps in Our Migrants' Support

Recent missile and drone attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, have disrupted flights and left thousands of Bangladeshi migrant workers in distress. According to civil aviation data, more than 50 flights have been cancelled or severely delayed, affecting over 5,400 passengers. Two Bangladeshis have reportedly died and more than two dozen have suffered injuries abroad. While we cannot prevent regional conflicts, this crisis demands a closer look at how well our institutions protect expatriates when emergencies disrupt their lives.

The difficulties facing stranded passengers point to gaps in coordination and communication. Many workers in Dhaka have struggled to obtain clear information about their flights, while reports of harassment and repeated journeys to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport have added to their frustration. Biman Bangladesh Airlines deserves credit for rerouting some passengers through Madinah and reissuing tickets without extra charges. However, individual airline measures cannot meet the needs of thousands of affected passengers. Government agencies, airlines and Saudi authorities must work together to provide reliable information and practical assistance.

For migrant workers, these disruptions can have serious financial consequences. Many borrow heavily to secure overseas jobs and depend on their earnings to support families at home. A delayed return could cost them their jobs, create visa complications and leave them struggling to repay loans. Their families may then lose the income they need for daily expenses. Moreover, prolonged disruption to overseas employment could affect remittance flows, which sustain millions of households and contribute significantly to our economy. Meanwhile, injured Bangladeshis in Riyadh hospitals need proper medical care and continued support from the Bangladesh Embassy. The crisis shows how quickly a lack of effective assistance can turn a travel disruption into a threat to workers’ livelihoods.

Against this backdrop, the government must address both the immediate emergency and the weaknesses it has exposed. The ministries of Civil Aviation, Foreign Affairs and Expatriates’ Welfare should coordinate with airlines and Saudi authorities to arrange alternative flights and secure visa or work-permit extensions where necessary. Relevant agencies must provide regular updates and establish clear channels for complaints and assistance. Concurrently, the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia should help injured citizens obtain medical and legal support and keep their families informed. A dedicated task force could coordinate these efforts and develop a clear response plan for future emergencies.

Ultimately, we expect the government to move beyond temporary arrangements and build a dependable support system for expatriates. Stranded workers must receive timely assistance, while injured citizens need proper care and sustained consular support. More importantly, the authorities must learn from this crisis and ensure that workers do not have to navigate emergencies on their own. Our expatriates support millions of families and contribute significantly to the national economy. They deserve more than official assurances when their jobs, safety and livelihoods are at stake. Protecting them must remain a state responsibility, backed by effective coordination, clear communication and timely action.