COVID-19: Fights break out for air tickets to Saudi Arabia between stranded Bangladeshi workers

Abu Dhabi: Hundreds of stranded migrant workers have been fighting again for air tickets to Saudi Arabia as they gathered in Dhaka, local media reported.

They began queuing up outside the offices of Saudia in Karwan Bazar and Biman Bangladesh Airlines in Motijheel on Saturday.

About 800 migrant workers gathered outside the Saudia office at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.

Large swathes of stranded migrants have begun returning to the Middle East after concerns over their visa and residence permit amid the pandemic were recently resolved.

They altercated with the police several times as they jostled for space in the queue, said Toyebur Rahman, a police inspector.

The workers blocked traffic in the area and left the road after police intervention.

Saudia and Biman have recently begun reissuing tickets bought by the migrant workers before the suspension of flights amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The airlines are also set to issue tickets for regular commercial flights soon.

The decisions came upon the approval of the Saudi authorities who have also agreed to extend visas after days of protests by the stranded migrant workers in Dhaka.