Key Highlights:
- Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia signed a historic formal agreement for the recruitment of general workers.
- This is the first-ever agreement of its kind in the 50-year history of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
- The signing took place on October 6 in Riyadh, between Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (Bangladesh), and Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (Saudi Arabia).
- The agreement ensures better protection of workers’ rights, transparency, and stronger bilateral cooperation.
- Discussions were also held to expand training programs and ensure safe, orderly migration for Bangladeshi workers.
- Earlier agreements included one on domestic worker recruitment (2015) and another on skills verification (2022).
In a landmark step marking five decades of diplomatic relations, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have signed their first formal agreement to recruit general workers, opening new opportunities for skilled professionals across various sectors.
The formal signing ceremony took place on October 6 in Riyadh, where Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, represented Bangladesh, and Eng. Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, signed on behalf of Saudi Arabia.
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According to an official press release, this agreement aims to enhance worker protection, strengthen transparency in recruitment, and deepen bilateral cooperation between the two friendly nations. It marks the first time in 50 years that such a structured arrangement has been established for general workers, despite Saudi Arabia being one of Bangladesh’s largest overseas labor markets since 1976.
A Milestone in Labor Diplomacy
While Saudi Arabia began recruiting Bangladeshi workers informally in 1976, there had never been a formal agreement for general worker recruitment. The two countries had only signed two specific agreements previously one on domestic worker recruitment in 2015, and another on skills verification in 2022.
This new fact, therefore, represents a historic milestone in the bilateral labor relationship, ensuring mutual benefits for both workers and employers and solidifying the nations’ partnership.
শুধু নতুন কাস্টমার নয়, পুরনোদের ধরে রাখাই লাভজনক
Bilateral Meeting Prior to Signing
Before the signing ceremony, a bilateral meeting was held between Adviser Asif Nazrul and Minister Al-Rajhi. During the meeting, Adviser Asif raised several important issues, including:
- Ensuring transparency in recruitment contracts.
- Making employers responsible for iqama renewal.
- Speeding up exit visas for workers wishing to return home.
In response, Minister Al-Rajhi directed the concerned Saudi authorities to take immediate and effective measures to resolve these issues. He also emphasized the importance of continuing safe and orderly migration from Bangladesh.
Future Cooperation and Worker Welfare
The two sides also discussed expanding collaboration in training and recruiting skilled workers, as well as ensuring the welfare and protection of Bangladeshi expatriates working in Saudi Arabia. Present at the ceremony were Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md Delwar Hossain, Deputy Chief of Mission SM Nazmul Hasan, Labour Counsellor Muhammad Rezae Rabbey, and other officials from both countries.
Source: TBS
