Caution advised for Maldivians traveling to Bangladesh in light of protests

Foreign Ministry has advised caution for Maldivians traveling to and living in Bangladesh in light of the country's ongoing student protests.

The Ministry, in a statement on Thursday night, urged Maldivians residing in Bangladesh to refrain from going outdoors during this time as advised by the Bangladeshi government and to strictly adhere to the instructions given by the Maldivian High Commission in Bangladesh.

The Ministry also assured that the Maldivian government was undertaking efforts to ensure the safety and security of students and other Maldivians residing in Bangladesh.

They have instructed any locals who require assistance to contact the High Commission.

In this regard, the Maldivian High Commission in Bangladesh can be contacted via phone at +880 1329748885 and via email at [email protected].

The protests in Bangladesh were launched over public sector job quotas, which include a 30 percent reservation for family members of fighters from the 1971 War of Independence from Pakistan.

The quotas have caused anger among students who face high youth unemployment rates, with nearly 32 million young Bangladeshis not in work or education out of a total population of 170 million people.

At least 39 people have been killed in the unrest, which on Thursday, saw government buildings torched by demonstrators and a nationwide internet blackout put into effect.

Bangladeshi government has ordered schools and universities to close indefinitely.