Dhaka, Riyadh sign first deal on workers recruitment

Al Mamun Harun Ur Rashid :

In a major boost to country’s overseas employment prospects, Dhaka and Riyadh have signed their first-ever formal agreement on recruiting general workers, a milestone in their 50-year diplomatic relationship.

The agreement was signed in Riyadh between Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi.
Stakeholders said that such agreement would contribute a positive impact in the labour market of Bangladesh.

Although Saudi Arabia has been Bangladesh’s largest labour market since 1976, no formal framework for recruiting general workers existed until now. Previous accords in 2015 and 2022 covered only domestic workers and skill verification.

This new deal is expected to open wider avenues for Bangladeshi skilled and semi-skilled workers in Saudi Arabia at a time when global labour markets are tightening, migration channels are shrinking, and many Bangladeshis are risking their lives trying to reach Europe through irregular routes.

The formalisation of the recruitment process is being seen as a crucial step toward ensuring fair treatment, timely payments, and legal protection for migrant workers, a stark contrast to the dangers of human trafficking and unsafe migration that have led to countless deaths and forced repatriations in recent years.

During the bilateral meeting prior to the signing, Dr. Nazrul stressed the need for transparency in recruitment, employer responsibility for iqama renewals, and expedited exit visas for workers wishing to return home, Riyadh Embassy to Bangladesh said.

In response, Minister Al-Rajhi instructed Saudi authorities to address these issues promptly and urged Bangladesh to ensure safe and orderly migration.

The discussions also covered enhanced cooperation in worker training, welfare, and rights protection – signalling a renewed focus on ethical migration and sustainable labour mobility.
Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md. Delwar Hossain, Deputy Chief of Mission S.M. Nazmul Hasan, and Labour Counsellor Muhammad Rezae Rabbie were among those present at the ceremony.

For Bangladesh, where remittances from migrant workers remain a vital source of foreign exchange, this agreement marks not only a diplomatic success but also an economic lifeline, offering safer, legal pathways for thousands seeking work abroad.

There are approximately three million Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia, making it the largest destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers and the largest expatriate group in the country.
Recent recruitment efforts have been strong, with Saudi Arabia issuing large numbers of work visas to Bangladeshis for major construction projects and other developments.
Since 1976, Saudi Arabia hosts the largest number of overseas Bangladeshis, with estimates around three million workers.
The Kingdom’s mega-projects, such as those for the FIFA World Cup 2034, are driving significant demand for both skilled and unskilled labor from Bangladesh.
Sources said that in December 2024, Saudi Arabia was issuing thousands of work visas daily to Bangladeshis.
While male-dominated, there are also women in the workforce in Saudi Arabia, often working as domestic helpers, babysitters, and caregivers.
Despite the high demand and large numbers, some workers face issues like high “iqama” (work permit) fees and are returning to Bangladesh due to these financial burdens.
In November 2024, Saudi Arabia recruited 83,733 Bangladeshi workers, the highest in nearly three years, as part of its Vision 2030 mega projects like Neom, Red Sea, and AlUla.
Out of 103,000 total overseas employments that month, 81 per cent went to Saudi Arabia, underscoring Bangladesh’s growing dependency on the kingdom. As of 2025, over 3.2 million Bangladeshis live and work in Saudi Arabia.
By contrast, traditional labour markets are shrinking fast. The UAE hired 47,000 workers in 2024, down from 98,000 in 2023.
Malaysia’s recruitment fell from 350,000 in 2023 to 93,000 in 2024 following a market closure in May. Oman, which recruited 179,000 in 2022, hired just 333 workers this year, while Bahrain has remained closed since 2018.
Workers in Saudi Arabia sent $2.7 billion by November 2024, compared to $4.5 billion from the UAE. Low salaries – typically Tk27,000-Tk32,000 per month in Saudi Arabia versus Tk38,000 in Malaysia – and widespread use of hundi channels explain the gap.
Experts urge Bangladesh to diversify into European markets and strengthen oversight of recruiting agencies to stabilize migration.
However, concerned stakeholders said that the formal agreement between Dhaka and Riyadh would open new avenues for Bangladeshi manpower which would ultimately contribute the national reserve through remittance.

Former General Secretary of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) Ali Haidar told The New Nation on Monday that the agreement is a positive step, as it imposes legal obligations on all parties, including employers.
“The agreement would enable workers to address their grievances in court and help prevent abuse,” he said.
He added that the agreement would hold recruitment agencies accountable as well and ensure workers travel abroad through proper channels.
Haidar also noted that it could serve as a model for other countries that do not have similar arrangements.