The Oman government has assured Bangladesh of legalizing 96,000 illegal Bangladeshi workers.

State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare, Overseas and Employment Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury told journalists today at his office in the city’s Eskaton.

 “96,000 workers are living illegally in Oman,” said Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury who recently visited Dubai, Oman, and Qatar to discuss the labour market issue.

The state minister said the Oman government will charge a penalty for their legalization but Bangladesh has requested them not to charge the penalty.

“The Oman government has assured us of taking more skilled workers from Bangladesh in 12 categories,” he said.

He also said that Dubai has already made a demand for 3,000 workers. Of them, 400 workers have already left and 500 workers will leave soon, he added.

About the labour market in Malaysia, the state minister said the ministry has already formed a probe committee which has been given five more working days to submit report with explanation on why a large number of workers was not able to go to Malaysia.

Around 16,970 migrant workers failed to go to Malaysia within the deadline of May 31 announced by the Malaysian government despite getting BMET clearance.