Momen seeks S. Korea’s cooperation for return of Bangladeshi workers, students

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has sought the cooperation of his South Korean counterpart Kang Kyung-wha to ease the visa process so that workers and students who came back to Bangladesh at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic could return to their work and studies.
 
The Bangladesh foreign minister talked to his Korean counterpart over the phone on Tuesday afternoon, said a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the conversation, the two foreign ministers discussed bilateral, regional and global issues including the Covid-19 pandemic, bilateral cooperation, welfare of Bangladeshi workers and students. 

They agreed to work together to realise the full potential of the existing excellent bilateral relations between the two countries.
 
Detailing the plight of the stranded workers and students, Dr Momen sought support of the Korean minister to facilitate the return of the stranded EPS workers and students.

He also invited South Korea to establish a vocational training centre which could train Bangladeshi workers to suit the needs of Korean employers. 

Minister Kang welcomed the idea and also gave an assurance that he will look into the visa issue.
 
The foreign minister lauded South Korea's effective containment of the spread of Covid-19 and called for greater cooperation to combat the pandemic. 

He also apprised him of the initiatives taken by the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to contain novel coronavirus transmission.
 
Dr Momen also apprised Kyung-wha of the current Rohingya situation. 

In reply, the Korean Foreign Minister gave an assurance that he will work towards resolving the Rohingya crisis and for the early repatriation of more than a million Myanmar nationals who were displaced from their home in Rakhaine State and are now temporarily taking shelter in Bangladesh.