The Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) expresses deep shock and concern regarding the recent series of attacks by Houthi armed groups at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which resulted in the deaths of 14 people—including two Bangladeshis—and injuries to 27 Bangladeshis. BAIRA extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured.
Following the attacks, 89 flights bound for Saudi Arabia from Dhaka were cancelled or suspended, preventing 14,655 passengers from traveling as scheduled. Consequently, both new recruits and many experienced expatriate workers who had returned home on leave are unable to resume their jobs. This has created uncertainty regarding their visas, the validity of their *Iqamas* (residency permits), and their job security.
Saudi Arabia is Bangladesh's largest labor market and a primary source of remittance income. Against this backdrop, BAIRA urges the government to hold urgent discussions with the relevant Saudi authorities to secure extensions for the visas and *Iqamas* of stranded workers and to guarantee the protection of their employment. The Government of Bangladesh successfully resolved similar issues through diplomatic initiatives during the Gulf War and the COVID-19 pandemic; taking similar measures in the current situation is equally critical.
At the same time, BAIRA demands that steps be taken to ensure the safety of Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia, provide adequate compensation to the families of the deceased, ensure necessary medical care for the injured, and arrange for affected passengers to either reschedule their tickets at no extra cost or receive a full refund from the airlines.
BAIRA stands ready to provide necessary support in addressing this crisis by coordinating with the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), and all relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, to mitigate such risks in the future, BAIRA emphasizes the need for a concerted effort by the government and the private sector to reduce reliance on a single labor market and instead expand into new and promising labor markets.
