The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The Foreign Ministry Monday asked the agitating Bangladeshi workers in Kuwait to return to their respective workplaces as diplomatic efforts continued to settle their problems.

Acting Foreign Secretary M A K Mahmud in a statement said officials of the Bangladeshi mission in Kuwait had already "fruitful" discussions with the Kuwaiti authorities concerned who assured that matters relating to salary of the workers would be sorted out within two weeks.

"It is not expected to any of us that the image of Bangladesh is tarnished by creating law-and-order situation," he said, adding each expatriate Bangladeshi worker should be respectful of the laws of that country.

Mahmud noted that if the Kuwaiti government takes action against lawbreakers, individual persons would be responsible for that.

Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury today invited the Kuwaiti Ambassador to the Foreign Ministry and sought his government's cooperation in overcoming the evolving situation.

The envoy of the Gulf country assured that he would bring the matter to the notice of his government and take initiative to settle the problem.

Mahmud reiterated that "in no way will it be wise to violate the Kuwaiti laws" by Bangladeshi workers.

He said it would be difficult for the Bangladesh government to resolve the matter in case the Kuwaiti authorities took any action against the lawbreakers.