Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia sign landmark deal on manpower recruitment

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia today signed a landmark agreement in Riyadh on the recruitment of general workers, the first of its kind between the two countries in their 50-year history of diplomatic relations.

Bangladesh Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul and Saudi Human Resources and Social Development, Minister Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi signed the agreement on behalf of their respective side, according to a message received here. 

Since 1976, Saudi Arabia has remained Bangladesh’s largest overseas labour market, employing millions of Bangladeshi workers.

However, until now, there had been no formal agreement on the recruitment of general workers.

Earlier, two special agreements were signed one in 2015 on the recruitment of domestic workers, and another in 2022 on skills verification.

Today’s new agreement will broaden opportunities for the recruitment of Bangladeshi skilled and semi-skilled workers across various professions in Saudi Arabia. 

It is also expected to enhance protection of rights and welfare for both workers and employers and further strengthen the brotherly bilateral ties between the two nations.

Prior to the signing ceremony, a bilateral meeting was held between Adviser Dr. Nazrul and Minister Al-Rajhi.

During the meeting, the Bangladeshi adviser stressed the importance of ensuring transparency and fairness in the recruitment process. 

Additionally, he called on businesses to handle the renewal of residence permits (Iqama) and to expedite the issuance of exit visas to employees who want to return home.

The Saudi minister responded by giving the relevant authorities instructions to act quickly and decisively to resolve these issues.

Additionally, he urged Bangladesh to keep up its efforts to guarantee orderly and safe migration.

Enhancing collaboration in the hiring, training, and welfare of foreign employees as well as guaranteeing their safety and security in the host nation were other topics covered at the meeting.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md. Delwar Hossain, Deputy Chief of Mission S.M. Nazmul Hasan, Labour Counsellor Muhammad Rezae Rabbi, and senior officials from both countries were present at the event.