The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Visiting Member of the EU Parliament for London Robert Evans yesterday suggested the British government to relax immigration rule and visa regime for Bangladeshi workers for the British-Bangladeshi catering industry, which is suffering from lack of workforce.

"I think the British government should issue three to four years work permit for Bangladeshi skilled and unskilled workers instead of the present one year permit," he told a press conference at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday afternoon.

"One year is not enough time for a worker to do a job in a foreign land since every person needs at least one year to adjust to a foreign society and culture in addition to the time necessary for training," observed Evans, who is also the Chair of the South Asia Delegation in European Parliament.

He, however, opined that politicians of the two countries should sort out the issues relating to the British immigration rule and visa regime for Bangladeshi workers.

Appreciating Bangladeshis contributions to the British economy, he said, "Bangladesh community is playing an important role in British society. Bangladeshis are settled in Britain and they are more prosperous." Evans said Bangladeshi catering industry in Britain is very successful and the industry earns about 4.2 billion pound sterling or 8.7 billion US dollars a year. "And there should be regular supply of Bangladeshi workers for this industry," he added.

He expressed the hope that the Caretaker government would be able to hold a free, fair and credible election 'as soon as possible.'

"We are watching the situation in Bangladesh very closely," Evans said while replying to a question about the present political situation.

"A Caretaker government is in power here and the (top) leaders of the two major political parties are in prison. An unusual situation is prevailing in Bangladesh," he said.