Emergency Crisis Centre for Migrants in Middle East

As the geopolitical situation in the Middle East deteriorates into active conflict, the Government of Bangladesh has taken proactive measures to safeguard its citizens abroad. The Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment has officially inaugurated a dedicated emergency control room to monitor the safety of Bangladeshi migrant workers and provide real-time assistance during this period of heightened volatility.

Operational Framework and Logistics

According to an official ministerial directive issued on Monday, the control room commenced operations on Tuesday and is scheduled to remain active until at least 16 March. To ensure continuous monitoring, the facility is being staffed by officials and employees working across three revolving shifts. Situated at the Probashi Kallyan Bhaban in Eskaton, Dhaka, the centre serves as a centralized hub for crisis management and communication with labour wings located in conflict zones.

The ministry has appointed high-level oversight for this initiative. Barrister Md. Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, Director General of the Wage Earners' Welfare Board, has been tasked with the overall management of the facility. Supporting him is Md. Hedayetul Islam Mondal, Deputy Secretary of the Employment-1 Branch, who will serve as the Chief Centre Officer.

Key Contact and Operational Details

The government has urged all migrant workers and their families to utilise the following resources if they encounter distress or require evacuation guidance:

Strategic Objectives

The primary mandate of the control room is to maintain an open line of communication with Bangladesh’s Labour Welfare Wings stationed across various Middle Eastern nations. Given the unpredictability of the current warfare—which involves drone strikes, missile exchanges, and disrupted transport links—the ministry aims to provide a reliable source of information for workers who may be displaced or trapped in high-risk areas.

The officers on duty are instructed to coordinate directly with foreign missions to assess the necessity of repatriation flights or safe-zone relocations. This move is seen as a vital safety net for the millions of Bangladeshis whose remittances form the backbone of the national economy, and whose physical security is currently under significant threat.