Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark agreement on the recruitment of general workers, marking the first such formal arrangement between the two countries in their 50 years of diplomatic relations.
The agreement was signed on Monday (October 6) in Riyadh by Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to Bangladesh’s Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Eng. Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.
Although Saudi Arabia has been employing Bangladeshi workers informally since 1976, there had been no official agreement regarding the recruitment of general workers until now. Prior to this, two specific agreements were signed — one on the recruitment of domestic workers in 2015 and another on skills verification in 2022.
Officials said the new deal will expand employment opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia and ensure stronger protection of the rights and interests of both workers and employers. It is also expected to further strengthen the brotherly relations between the two nations.
Before the signing, Dr. Nazrul and Minister Al-Rajhi held a bilateral meeting, where the Bangladeshi adviser raised several key issues — including ensuring transparency in employment contracts, employer responsibility for Iqama (residence permit) renewals, and the timely issuance of exit visas for workers wishing to return home.
The Saudi minister instructed relevant authorities to take prompt and effective measures on these issues and urged Bangladesh to continue ensuring safe and orderly migration.
The meeting also discussed enhancing cooperation in recruiting and training skilled workers, as well as ensuring the welfare and protection of Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md. Delwar Hossain, Deputy Chief of Mission S.M. Nazmul Hasan, and Labour Counsellor Muhammad Rezae Rabbi, along with officials from both sides, were present at the signing ceremony.
