Oman assures to legalize 96,000 Bangladeshi workers

Expectations for labour exports to Oman rise as the Gulf country pledges to legalise 96,000 undocumented Bangladeshi workers and unveils plans to recruit only skilled workers from Bangladesh across 12 categories for now.

"Oman wants to hire skilled workers from Bangladesh. We have discussed this matter and expect that once skilled workers begin to be employed, unskilled workers will also find opportunities over time," State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Shofiqur Rahman told reporters at his office on Tuesday, reports TBS.

"Around 96,000 workers are living illegally in Oman. The Omani government has assured us that they will legalise these workers. We have requested them to waive the penalty for legalisation, to which they responded positively," he said.

The minister said, "The Oman government has assured us of taking more skilled workers from Bangladesh in 12 categories.”

Dubai has already requested 3,000 workers. A total of 400 workers have left the country, and 500 are awaiting their departure, he added.

The announcements follow a four-day trip by Shofiqur Rahman Choudhury to Oman on 28-31 May. Aside from Oman, he visited Dubai and Qatar as well to discuss labour market issues.

Oman suspended visa issuance for Bangladeshi workers in October last year.