They also called for making expatriates' welfare and overseas employment ministry and Bangladesh missions abroad more efficient to pursue economic diplomacy with other nations.

The call was made by the leaders of Bangladesh Antarjatik Prabashi Kalyan Samity (BAPKS) and Bangladesh Samity Riyadh (BSR) at a press conference at the National Press Club in the city.

Their demands also included facilities for skill development training and easy bank loan for prospective overseas workers, enacting tougher laws to reduce their hazards caused by different recruiting agencies and other mid-level commission agents, investment of their remittances for industrialisation and providing the expatriates with tax identification number (TIN) under special arrangement.

While mentioning the contribution of 35 lakh Bangladeshi expatriates across the globe to national economy BAPKS President Dr Md Abdur Rahman said the total inflow of remittances in last fiscal year was Tk 35000 crore.

"This amount could reach Tk 55000 crore if Hundi business could be stopped," he added.

Regarding manpower export he said the government should legislate tougher laws so that no recruiting agency can deceive overseas workers who are usually poor.

He alleged that in most cases Bangladeshi workers go abroad spending much higher amount than logical but just after reaching the airport of foreign countries the agencies compel the workers to sign deals which permit the employers to pay the workers much less than they were supposed to get.

He said if prospective workers were provided bank loans with five percent interest, the sufferings of the workers would have reduced to a great extent.

Pointing to complicated voting procedure for expatriate Bangladeshis abroad, he said some simple steps could ensure their participation in national election but nothing is done in this regard.

BAPKS President Dr Abdur Rahman read out a written statement at the press conference which was attended by its Secretary General Syed Nasiruddin, BSR President Engr Md Ruhul Amin and its Secretary General Mahbubur Rahman.