Submission of biometric data: Aspirant migrant workers wait for hours in long queues

Hundreds of aspirant migrant workers had to wait for several hours yesterday in long queues to submit their biometric information at the Visa Service Centre for Saudi Arabia in the capital's Jamuna Future Park, enduring various sufferings.

A number of aspirant migrant workers said they made overnight journey from different districts and reached the capital city in the dawn or early morning, and then waited in queues, some for up to seven hours.

An aspirant migrant worker said he started his journey from Naogaon's Raninagar upazila yesterday morning for the biometric enrolment.

He came to Jamuna Future Park around 8:00am today and his biometric enrolment was done around 3:00pm.

"I was in the queue all the time. I couldn't even leave the queue to have food or go to the toilet out of fear that I might miss the serial," said the aspirant migrant worker, seeking anonymity.

Biometric enrolment is mandatory to obtain a Saudi visa, according to people familiar with the Saudi visa application process.

Every individual-- except for children below 6, applicants above 80 and diplomatic passport-holders-- applying for a visa for entry into the Kingdom has to submit their biometric information, according to the website of Tasheer.

Saudi Company for Visa and Travel Solutions operates visa centres in different countries under the brand name Tasheer, said a UNB report.

Another aspirant migrant worker said he started from Lakshmipur's Ramganj around dawn today and reached Jamuna Future Park around 11:00am.

While talking with this correspondent around 3:30pm, he was still in a queue. At least a hundred more people were in front of him, waiting to be called for their serials.

"I have been in the queue since the moment I reached here…I couldn't have my lunch and offer my Zuhr prayer," he added.

Recruiting agents, who process visa applications, said such a process to get a Saudi visa should be made easier which could reduce migrant workers' sufferings.

One option could be introducing more visa service centres in Bangladesh which will reduce the rush of migrant workers at one place at a time, said a recruiting agent, preferring not to be named.

Also, the Saudi government could involve the recruiting agencies in the process by providing them with software or app to complete the biometric enrolment, he added.

Contacted, Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, senior secretary of Expatriates' Welfare Ministry, said they have heard about the migrant workers' enduring situation.

"We will discuss the issue with the Saudi Arabia Embassy in Bangladesh and try to find a solution to reduce the workers' sufferings," he told this newspaper over the phone.