In response to the volatile and rapidly escalating military conflict in the Middle East, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has officially inaugurated a dedicated emergency control room. The initiative aims to safeguard the millions of Bangladeshi migrant workers currently stationed across the region, providing a direct lifeline to the government as security conditions deteriorate following recent missile exchanges and regional strikes.
Operational Framework and Logistics
According to an official directive issued on Monday, the crisis centre commenced operations on Tuesday and is scheduled to remain active until at least 16 March. Located at the Expatriate Welfare Bhaban in Eskaton, Dhaka, the facility functions as a central hub for intelligence gathering and emergency assistance.
To ensure seamless support, the ministry has implemented a rigorous three-shift roster for its officers and staff, maintaining active monitoring for 12 hours daily during peak communication windows. Migrant workers, or their concerned families in Bangladesh, have been urged to utilise the 24-hour global hotline for immediate assistance regarding safety, repatriation, or legal guidance.
Table: Emergency Control Room Operations (March 2026)
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Proshashi Kallyan Bhaban (Lift-7), Eskaton, Dhaka |
| Active Period | Tuesday, 10 March – Sunday, 16 March 2026 |
| Daily Hours | 08:00 to 20:00 (12-hour active monitoring) |
| Staffing Model | Three-shift rotational duty |
| Primary Hotline | +880 961 010 2030 |
| Lead Coordinator | Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan (DG, WEWB) |
Strategic Coordination and Mandate
The control room is overseen by high-ranking officials to ensure that administrative bottlenecks do not hinder emergency responses. Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan, Director General of the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board (WEWB), has been appointed as the general manager of the facility, while Md Hedayetul Islam Mandal, Deputy Secretary of the Employment-1 Branch, serves as the Chief Centre Officer.
Beyond mere communication, the mandate of the control room includes proactive diplomacy. Duty officers are instructed to maintain constant, real-time contact with Labour Welfare Wings attached to Bangladeshi embassies in conflict-prone nations, including Israel, Lebanon, and Iran. This coordination is vital for assessing the necessity of mass evacuations or the provision of temporary shelters for those displaced by the fighting.
A Vital Support System
As the “remittance warriors” of Bangladesh face unprecedented threats to their physical safety and job security, this institutional intervention serves as a critical buffer. The ministry has emphasised that the hotline is equipped to handle a high volume of calls, offering a grounded sense of security to a diaspora that remains the backbone of the national economy.