Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia sign landmark labour recruitment agreement

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark agreement on the recruitment of general workers—marking the first official accord of its kind between the two nations in five decades of diplomatic relations.

The signing ceremony took place on Monday (October 6) in Riyadh, where Dr. Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, signed on behalf of Bangladesh, and Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, represented Saudi Arabia.

According to the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, although Bangladeshi workers have been employed in Saudi Arabia since 1976, no formal agreement had existed until now. Previously, two specific agreements were signed—one on domestic workers in 2015 and another on skills verification in 2022.

Officials expect the new deal to expand opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled Bangladeshi workers in various sectors, while also ensuring better protection of rights for both employees and employers.

Prior to the signing, Minister Al-Rajhi and Adviser Nazrul held a bilateral meeting discussing issues such as standardized employment contracts, employer responsibility for iqama renewals, and expedited exit visas for workers wishing to return home.

The Saudi minister assured prompt action on these matters and urged continued cooperation to ensure safe and orderly migration.

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 sides were present there.