Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark bilateral agreement, ushering in a new chapter of general worker recruitment. Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi signed the deal in Riyadh on Monday.
This is the first formal agreement in the 50-year history of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on the recruitment of general workers.
Previously, Bangladeshi workers were sent to Saudi Arabia without any formal contract. Bangladesh first sent workers to the Gulf country in 1976, and nearly 3 million Bangladeshis have been employed there, contributing significantly to the country’s remittance inflow.
Although two previous agreements were signed — one in 2015 on the recruitment of domestic workers and another in 2022 on skill verification and recognition — this is the first comprehensive agreement on general worker recruitment.
Experts have described the deal as a milestone in ensuring the rights and protection of migrant workers. Under the new agreement, the scope for sending skilled, semi-skilled, and general workers from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia will further be expanded.
Both the countries will prioritise joint initiatives to enhance training, skill certification, safe migration, and transparency in the recruitment process.
The agreement also outlines clearer mechanisms for contract-based employment relationships, renewal of residency permits (Iqama), and timely issuance of exit visas.
During a bilateral meeting prior to the agreement signing, Asif Nazrul urged the Saudi authorities to ensure protection of workers’ rights, proper responsibility by employers in renewing Iqamas, and timely facilitation of exit visas for those wishing to return home.
“Before sending workers abroad, we will ensure proper training and skill certification. This will enable Saudi Arabia to receive a higher-quality workforce,” he said.
Describing Bangladesh as a key labour market partner, Saudi Minister Ahmad bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi said, “This agreement marks a new era not only in recruitment but also in human resource development.”
He instructed both the ministries to work closely to promote worker welfare, skill development, and legal protection.
The meeting also discussed potential Saudi investment in establishing training centres in Bangladesh, the introduction of digital verification systems for recruitment, protection measures for female workers, and the creation of a joint monitoring mechanism to curb illegal brokers.
