(MENAFN- Bangladesh Monitor) Dhaka: The Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry will bear the expenses of BDT 1,600, of United Arab Emirates-bound workers undergoing Covid-19 tests at the RT-PCR laboratories of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital.

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad announced this at a view exchange meeting with Bangladeshi expatriates held at the Bangladesh Embassy in Abu Dhabi on October 2.

During the meeting, the minister added, "Expatriate workers are remittance fighters of our country. Their contribution to the country's economy is undeniable. The government is working to ensure their welfare.”

“As part of this, the ministry will pay BDT 1,600 for the Covid-19 test at the airport for workers going to the UAE," the minister claimed.

In early August, the UAE made it mandatory for passengers travelling to the country to carry Covid-19 negative certificates from RT-PCR tests taken within six hours of departure.

On September 6, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the ministries and the authorities concerned to immediately set up labs at the country's three international airports in Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet.

On September 16, the government approved Stemz Health Care (BD) Ltd, CSBF Health Centre, AMZ Hospital, Anwar Khan Modern Medical College and Hospital, ZH Sikder Women's Medical College and Hospital, Gulshan Clinic Limited, and DMFR Molecular Lab and Diagnostics to conduct the Covid-19 tests at Dhaka airport.

UAE cleared the standard operating procedure of the RT-PCR tests at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) clearing any bar for the resumption of flights on September 29 and from September 30 flights between the gulf country resumed.