DHAKA: Bangladeshi workers in Iraq, if necessary, can take temporary shelter in Iran by crossing the border, said expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain.

The minister told media after the ministry’s migration crisis observation committee meeting on Sunday.

He said Bangladesh government has already discussed with the Iranian embassy in Dhaka regarding Bangladeshi workers in Iraq.

Besides, Bangladesh embassy in Iran has also expressed their readiness to give shelter of Bangladesh workers, he added.

Foreign secretary Shahidul Haque, expatriates’ welfare secretary Khandakar Shawkat Hossain and International Organization for Migration (IOM) high officials, among others, were present at the meeting.

The minister said that Bangladeshi workers are not target of any conflicting groups in Iraq. We are prepared to tackle any crisis regarding the safety of the workers in that country.

Foreign ministry and expatriates’ welfare ministry along with IOM will work together capitalizing their previous experiences of returning workers from Libya safely, he added.

According to the minister, Bangladeshi workers in Iraq have nothing to be worried.

He also advised the workers to stay in safer places with sufficient foods and water. He also suggested them to stay in groups.

IOM Bangladesh boss Sharat Das said his organization will provide highest level of support to the stranded Bangladeshi workers in Iraq.

He commented that situation in Iraq is not as bad as to return them at home right now.

He said that they have discussed at the meeting that about the process of bringing workers to return home safely as quick as possible if the Iraq situation worsens.

BDST: 1356 HRS, JUNE 22, 2014