Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul called on Saudi Arabia to increase the intake of trained Bangladeshi workers for mega projects undertaken in Saudi Arabia, including the upcoming World Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034.
Nazrul made the appeal during a meeting with the Vice Minister of the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain, at the 7th World Occupational Safety and Health Conference in Riyadh.
The adviser stated that prior competence assessment of employers, online contract signing, and training on Saudi labour culture should be made mandatory before issuing work visas.
He also extended an invitation to Saudi authorities to visit Bangladesh’s technical training centers, suggesting that some centres could be reserved exclusively for workers heading to Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the adviser proposed that Bangladeshi trainers could go to Saudi Arabia for specialised training.
He emphasised the importance of providing training for modern household appliances and Arabic language courses for female domestic workers. The adviser mentioned that workers would undergo one month of training before obtaining visas and an additional two weeks of training before departure.
The adviser went on to add that a team has been formed in coordination with the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development and the Bangladesh Embassy to address issues related to irregular and undocumented workers. A high-powered task force is also working to eliminate illegal labour practices and recruitment irregularities in Saudi Arabia.
During the panel discussion, Dr Asif Nazrul highlighted that the enforcement of occupational health and safety laws in developing countries faces obstacles due to reluctance from influential circles and certain technological limitations. He expressed hope that international organisations such as the International Labour Organization would play an active role in ensuring healthcare and social security for migrant workers.
At the meeting between Jordan and the OIC Labor Center, he expressed interest in recruiting not only female workers but also men for agricultural and construction sectors, and reached an agreement regarding increasing cooperation regarding the matter.
The Bangladeshi delegation at the conference was led by Advisor Dr Asif Nazrul. The delegation included Senior Secretary of the Ministry Dr Niamat Ulla Bhuiyan, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md Deloar Hossain, and other officials.