[Saudi Arabia] Landmark deal on manpower recruitment signed with Bangladesh

On October 6, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark agreement on the recruitment of general workers, the first of its kind between the two countries in their 50-year history of diplomatic relations, Prothom Alo reports.

Bangladesh Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul and Saudi Human Resources and Social Development Minister Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi signed the agreement in Riyadh on behalf of their respective side, according to local reporting.

Saudi Arabia has been Bangladesh’s largest overseas labour market since 1976, employing millions of Bangladeshi workers. But until now, there had been no formal agreement on the recruitment of general workers.

Two special agreements were previously signed; one in 2015 on the recruitment of domestic workers and another in 2022 on skills verification.

The new agreement will reportedly expand opportunities for the recruitment of Bangladeshi skilled and semi-skilled workers across various professions in Saudi Arabia. It is also intended to enhance the protection of rights and welfare for workers and employers, and further strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

Before the signing ceremony, a bilateral meeting was held between Adviser Asif Nazrul and Minister Al-Rajhi at which the Bangladeshi adviser stressed the importance of ensuring transparency and fairness in the recruitment process.

Mr Nazrul also urged employers to take responsibility for renewing residence permits (Iqama) and swiftly granting exit visas to workers wishing to return home.

The Saudi minister reportedly instructed the concerned authorities to take prompt and effective measures to address these matters. He urged Bangladesh to continue its efforts to ensure safe and orderly migration.

At the meeting, enhanced cooperation in the recruitment, training, and welfare of expatriate workers, while ensuring their safety and protection in the host country, was also discussed.

Source: Prothom Alo

On October 6, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia signed a landmark agreement on the recruitment of general workers, the first of its kind between the two countries in their 50-year history of diplomatic relations, Prothom Alo reports.

Bangladesh Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul and Saudi Human Resources and Social Development Minister Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi signed the agreement in Riyadh on behalf of their respective side, according to local reporting.

Saudi Arabia has been Bangladesh’s largest overseas labour market since 1976, employing millions of Bangladeshi workers. But until now, there had been no formal agreement on the recruitment of general workers.

Two special agreements were previously signed; one in 2015 on the recruitment of domestic workers and another in 2022 on skills verification.

The new agreement will reportedly expand opportunities for the recruitment of Bangladeshi skilled and semi-skilled workers across various professions in Saudi Arabia. It is also intended to enhance the protection of rights and welfare for workers and employers, and further strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

Before the signing ceremony, a bilateral meeting was held between Adviser Asif Nazrul and Minister Al-Rajhi at which the Bangladeshi adviser stressed the importance of ensuring transparency and fairness in the recruitment process.

Mr Nazrul also urged employers to take responsibility for renewing residence permits (Iqama) and swiftly granting exit visas to workers wishing to return home.

The Saudi minister reportedly instructed the concerned authorities to take prompt and effective measures to address these matters. He urged Bangladesh to continue its efforts to ensure safe and orderly migration.

At the meeting, enhanced cooperation in the recruitment, training, and welfare of expatriate workers, while ensuring their safety and protection in the host country, was also discussed.

Source: Prothom Alo