Riyadh: Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul, currently on an official visit to Saudi Arabia, has focused on strengthening bilateral ties, addressing labour market challenges, and ensuring better protection for Bangladeshi workers in the oil-rich nation. He highlighted the issues during separate meetings with Saudi Vice Minister of Human Resources and Social Development (HRSD) Dr. Abdullah Abuthnain and the Vice Minister for Interior Dr. Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the adviser’s engagements reaffirmed the deepening relationship between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia and set the stage for enhanced cooperation in labour migration and security matters. During the discussion with Abuthnain, Dr. Nazrul thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting more than three million Bangladeshi workers and invited Saudi authorities to visit Technical Training Centers (TTCs) in Bangladesh. He suggested recognizing select centers for skills certification, to which the Saudi side responded positively, agreeing to assess potential TTCs.
Key issues discussed included high Iqama renewal fees and their impact on workers who become jobless due to non-renewal by employers. The Saudi side noted ongoing labour law reforms aimed at protecting both employees and employers. Both sides deliberated on improving employment contract transparency, ensuring workers receive their contracts before departing Bangladesh. Concerns regarding the attestation of professional documents at the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka were raised, with Bangladesh urging Saudi authorities to empower the embassy to address this issue. The Saudi side assured that a solution is forthcoming.
Saudi officials informed that a task force would soon be formed to address illegal labour issues and employer-related irregularities and welcomed Bangladesh’s proposal to create a joint team to address such concerns. Improvements in domestic worker training standards were also discussed, with Bangladesh committing to reducing training duration while enhancing quality to meet Saudi expectations. Dr. Nazrul reiterated Bangladesh’s interest in securing more opportunities for skilled workers in Saudi Arabia’s mega projects and invited the Saudi Vice Minister to visit Bangladesh.
In a separate meeting with Saudi Vice Minister for Interior, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening migration and security cooperation. Bangladesh expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s hospitality towards Bangladeshi expatriates and its role in ensuring a safe environment for them. Discussions covered Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to prevent irregular migration and enhance legal migration processes. The Adviser sought Saudi cooperation in expediting repatriation for irregular migrants and those with expired visas, to which the Saudi Vice Minister assured that the matter would be looked into.
Bangladesh also proposed enhanced oversight mechanisms to prevent labour exploitation and ensure fair recruitment practices. The Saudi side reiterated its commitment to protecting both employers and employees under Saudi Arabia’s labour laws. The adviser reaffirmed Bangladesh’s interest in deepening security cooperation, building on the Security Cooperation Agreement signed in November 2022. Both sides agreed to work together on combating transnational crimes, including human trafficking, illegal migration, and money laundering. Dr. Nazrul requested a Royal Pardon for Bangladeshi prisoners convicted of minor offenses, and the Saudi Vice Minister took note of the request.
Additionally, Adviser Dr. Nazrul met with the Deputy Minister of Labour of Oman Salim Al-Busaidi in Riyadh on the sidelines of the Global Labour Market Conference. During the meeting, the adviser requested the regularization of irregular Bangladeshi workers without fines in Oman, to which the minister responded positively. The advisor further requested the resumption of work visas, which had been temporarily suspended since October 31, 2023. The Omani minister mentioned a high demand for Bangladeshi workers in Oman and expressed willingness to find solutions. The advisor also sought cooperation in recruiting skilled Bangladeshi workers, such as engineers, doctors, and nurses in Oman. Both sides agreed to take steps to enhance information exchange and cooperation between them.