Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia Ink Historic Manpower Deal

Bangladesh Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul and Saudi Human Resources and Social Development, Minister Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi signed a landmark agreement in Riyadh on the recruitment of general workers.

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have signed a landmark agreement in Riyadh to formalise the recruitment of general workers — the first such accord in the 50-year history of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul and Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.

Saudi Arabia has been Bangladesh’s largest overseas labour market since 1976, employing millions of Bangladeshi workers in various sectors. Despite this long-standing engagement, there had been no formal framework governing the recruitment of general workers until now.

Previously, two specific agreements were signed — one in 2015 for the recruitment of domestic workers and another in 2022 on skills verification.

The newly signed agreement is expected to expand opportunities for Bangladeshi skilled and semi-skilled workers in diverse professions across the Kingdom. It will also enhance the protection of rights and welfare for both workers and employers, further strengthening the long-standing brotherly ties between the two nations.

Before the signing ceremony, Adviser Dr Nazrul held a bilateral meeting with Minister Al-Rajhi, where both sides discussed key issues related to recruitment and worker welfare.

Dr Nazrul emphasised the need for transparency and fairness in the recruitment process and urged Saudi employers to take responsibility for renewing residence permits (Iqama) and ensuring that workers wishing to return home can obtain exit visas promptly.

In response, Minister Al-Rajhi directed the relevant authorities to take swift and effective action on these matters. He also encouraged Bangladesh to continue promoting safe and orderly migration.

The two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation in recruitment, training, and the overall welfare and protection of Bangladeshi expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia.

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 governments were present at the signing ceremony.

The historic agreement marks a major milestone in Bangladesh–Saudi Arabia relations, paving the way for a more structured, transparent, and mutually beneficial partnership in manpower recruitment.