Bangladesh–Kuwait relations

Bangladesh-Kuwait relations

Bangladesh	Kuwait

Bangladesh–Kuwait relations refer to the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Kuwait.^[1]

History

The Emir of Kuwait Sabah Al-Salim Al-Sabah visited Bangladesh in 1974.^[2] Bangladesh has a resident embassy in Kuwait.^[3] In 1991 after Iraq had invaded Kuwait, Bangladesh sent soldiers for the United Nation led Operation Desert Shield to protect Saudi Arabia.^[4] Bangladesh also fought in the First Gulf War as part of the International coalition.^[5] Bangladesh army lost 59 soldiers in the war and in mine clearing operations after the war.^[6] By 2016 72 Bangladeshi soldiers have died and 52 others were injured clearing land mines left behind by Iraq forces in the Gulf war under “Operation Reconstruction Kuwait”.^[7][8] On March 2016 both nations signed a treaty to allow diplomatic passport holders of each country to travel without entry visas.^[9] The Kuwaiti NGO Revival of Islamic Heritage Society was terrorism.^[10]

Relation

Bangladeshi private recruitment agencies.^[11] On July 2008, 2000 Bangladeshi workers protested over living conditions and low wages which were 18 Kuwaiti dinar per month in Kawait.^[12] Some of the workers were arrested for the protests but the Kuwait's labour ministry agreed to raise wages to 40 Kuwaiti dinar.^[13][14]

In February 2015 Kuwait again allowed the entry of Bangladeshi workers after a ban of 7 years; this was done after India placed new restriction on the migration of Indian workers to Kuwait. The total number of Bangladeshi migrant workers had been reduced to 190 thousand by 2014.^[15] By 2016 number has come to 200 thousand migrant workers.^[16] On May 2016 the Government Kuwait agreed to help the Government of Bangladesh establish an oil refinery in Bangladesh.^[17]

References

MILITARY RELATION : After the gulf war ended kuwait government urged some skilled technical manpower for their armed forces.Bangladesh as a peaceloving country responded quickly to kuwaiti government .On 1991 a Memorendum of Understanding was signed between both governments.The protoc is known as Operation Kuwait Punorgothon in short OKP. Bangladesh sent their skilled technicians, doctors, infantryman,mine swaping team,explosive ordnance disposal team to kuwait. Bangladesh army took the mammoth task to clear land mines and explosive ordnance from the soil of kuwait whereas other countries denied to do this. Many of the Bangladedhi soldiers died to clear the land mines.At present there 12 contingent working under Bangladesh Military Contingents Command &Control Headquarters to kuwait.At about 7000 + Bangladeshi soldiers are working here.The officers are deputed to kuwait only for 4 years whereas enlisted are deputed here for 16-18 years.The enlisted personnels are retired soldiers of Bangladesh Armed Forces. Most of the officers are doctors, dentists, it experts ,animal doctors, eod experts, military trainers,pharmacists.Where as the enlisted are drivers,technicians,air crew,cook, barbar, waiter,weapon repairer etc. The officers and soldiers both wear the kuwaiti uniform.A brigadier general of Bangladesh army commands the contingents.The Bangladeshi deputed personnel are not authorized to use weapon .In case of war they are authorized to use weapons only for self defense.The protocol is reviewed after every 6 years.In 2014 a massive change had been taken place in this protocol since 1991.The deputed personnel ,s salary increase every year.Bangladeshi government personnel are exempted from visa to enter kuwait.Both the countries are looking forward to strengthen this relation by economic,agriculture and military ties