CAAB committee blames Abu Dhabi immigration for denial of entry to 112 migrant workers

An investigation committee formed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) today blamed immigration authority of Abu Dhabi, UAE for sending back 112 Bangladeshi migrant workers and denying them entry into the country.

The 112 Bangladeshi expat workers traveled through Biman and Air Arabia Airlines -- in between July 14 to August 21 -- to Abu Dhabi.

But the immigration authority of Abu Dhabi sent them back to Dhaka on the grounds that the Bangladeshi citizens failed to meet necessary conditions for immigration clearance.

Following an inter-ministerial meeting held virtually in the middle of August, Expatriates' Welfare Minister Imran Ahmad said measures will be taken for sending the expatriate Bangladeshis who were directed back from Abu Dhabi airport after CAAB files a report in this regard.

Following an instruction by the civil aviation ministry, CAAB formed a five-member investigation committee to inquire into the matter.

Revealing the investigation report at a briefing at the CAAB headquarter at Dhaka's Kurmitola today, CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Mafidur Rahman said, due to the fault of the immigration authority of Abu Dhabi, 112 Bangladeshi expatriate workers were denied entry into the Gulf country.

The investigation committee recommended that the government should take necessary measures so that the 112 Bangladeshis can travel to UAE again.

The CAAB chief said they have already submitted the investigation report to the Civil Aviation Ministry and the ministry will take proper measures based on the report.

The CAAB chairman said Bangladeshi passengers had to return from Abu Dhabi mainly due to immigration complications in Abu Dhabi, but no such incidents had taken place in Dubai and Sharjah Airport.

He said on August 10 that Abu Dhabi's immigration department changed their immigration policy, but Bangladesh was not well informed about it.

In the changed policy, they said those whose visas have expired must go to the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship's (ICA) website and apply for permission to visit Abu Dhabi.

"But our passengers have missed this point. Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Air Arabia did not get clear information in this regard. Due to which the passengers had to return, even after going to the airport of that country," said the CAAB chief.

The CAAB chief said not only Bangladesh, but passengers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan had to return to their countries due to the changed immigration policy of Abu Dhabi.

Mafidur Rahman said both the airlines allegedly also had flaws in issuing boarding passes to their passengers.