Japan to begin hiring Bangladeshi workers from April 2027

Bangladesh and Japan have signed a new agreement to expand avenues for recruiting workers from Bangladesh. Under the deal, called the "ESDP-MOC," Japan will begin taking Bangladeshi workers from April 1, 2027. The agreement will initially remain in force for five years, after which it will be automatically extended for another five.

The information was shared in a notice from the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment on Monday (October 19). According to the ministry, the agreement was finalised and signed between the two countries on October 17, following nearly a year of discussions and efforts.

The full name of the agreement is the Memorandum of Cooperation on Employment Skills Development (ESDP-MOC). It aims to create employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in Japan's labour market and to strengthen cooperation between the two countries on worker recruitment.

On behalf of Bangladesh, the secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment signed the agreement. For Japan, representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the National Police Agency signed it.