Biman to give discounts to deportees from Oman

Undocumented Bangladeshi migrants wishing to leave Oman under a general amnesty will be provided special airfare to facilitate their return home, Times of Oman reported yesterday.

The development comes as Oman began a three-month general amnesty beginning on May 3 that allows the undocumented workers to leave Oman without paying fines for violation of resident status rules in the Sultanate.

There may be around 40,000 to 50,000 undocumented Bangladeshi migrant workers in Oman, Times of Oman added.

"For expatriates wishing to leave Oman under the government's amnesty programme, Biman Bangladesh will offer special fares to Dhaka," Showkat Hossain, country manager of Bangladesh Biman in Oman, told Times of Oman.

However, details need to be finalised, he said.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) will also offer special fares to amnesty-seekers who wish to leave Oman.

"Discounted fares will only be offered after amnesty seekers have clearances from the government and the embassy," said Shahzad M Paracha, country manager, PIA, Muscat.