Oman to reopen work visas for BD
Diplomatic Correspondent :
Oman has assured that work visas for Bangladeshi nationals will be reopened within the next two months, offering a significant boost to the country’s overseas employment prospects at a time when access to several global labour markets is becoming increasingly constrained.
The assurance came during a meeting on the sidelines of the Global Labor Market Conference, where Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul held talks with Oman’s Minister of Labour, Dr Mahad bin Saeed bin Ali Baawain Salim Al-Busaidi.
The discussion focused on labour mobility, migration management, and ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in manpower exchange.
“Work visas for Bangladesh would be reopened within the next two months,” the Omani labour minister said, signalling a positive shift after a temporary suspension that has
been in place since 2023 for unskilled and semi-skilled workers.
Oman had suspended the issuance of new work visas for unskilled and semi-skilled foreign workers as part of a policy to regularise existing undocumented and irregular migrant workers.
The move was also linked to domestic labour market adjustments, including efforts to increase employment opportunities for Omani nationals under its national workforce policies.
According to the Omani labour minister, the decision was never intended to permanently shut the door on key labour-sending countries such as Bangladesh.
Rather, it was a temporary measure aimed at restoring order and compliance in the labour market.
With the regularisation process nearing completion, Oman is now preparing to gradually reopen its labour market, starting with trusted partner countries.
Bangladesh, one of Oman’s long-standing labour partners, stands to benefit significantly from this reopening.
The reopening of Oman’s labour market comes at a critical moment for Bangladesh. Overseas employment is a cornerstone of the country’s economy, with millions of Bangladeshi workers employed abroad and remittances providing a vital source of foreign exchange.
In recent months, Bangladesh has faced growing challenges in sending workers overseas.
Several traditional destination countries have tightened visa regimes, introduced stricter compliance requirements, or slowed recruitment due to economic pressures and domestic employment concerns, industry insider said.
These trends have reduced opportunities for Bangladeshi workers, particularly those in the unskilled and semi-skilled categories.
Against this backdrop, Oman’s assurance is being viewed as timely and strategically important.
For Bangladesh, maintaining access to diversified labour markets is essential to sustaining remittance inflows and easing pressure on the domestic job market.
However, Dhaka and Muscat share a long history of labour cooperation. Bangladeshi workers have been contributing to Oman’s construction, manufacturing, services, and domestic sectors for decades.
Their reputation for hard work, adaptability, and cost competitiveness has made them a preferred workforce in many segments of Oman’s economy, sources said.
During the meeting, Dr Asif Nazrul praised Oman’s recent initiative to regularise undocumented Bangladeshi workers without imposing financial penalties.
He described the move as ‘humane and pragmatic’, noting that it would protect workers’ rights while also strengthening compliance within Oman’s labour system.
The adviser stressed that Bangladesh remains committed to sending disciplined, trained, and law-abiding workers, aligned with the host country’s labour laws and cultural norms.
A key focus of the discussion was the need to broaden the scope of Bangladeshi participation in Oman’s labour market.
Dr Nazrul urged the Omani side to consider greater recruitment of skilled Bangladeshi professionals, including engineers, doctors, nurses, and technical specialists.
As Oman continues to diversify its economy and invest in healthcare, infrastructure, and technology-driven sectors, demand for skilled manpower is expected to grow.
Bangladesh, with its expanding pool of trained professionals, sees this as an opportunity to move beyond traditional labour categories and enter higher-value segments of the market.
The adviser also requested a review of restrictions on unskilled and semi-skilled worker visas, stressing that these categories still form the backbone of Bangladesh’s overseas workforce and remain essential for many sectors of the Omani economy.
To build confidence among destination countries, Dr Nazrul outlined a series of reforms being undertaken by the interim government in the area of migration management.
These include the use of digital platforms to enhance transparency and accountability, stricter regulation of recruitment agencies, and legal reforms aimed at protecting migrant workers.
He also highlighted initiatives to improve pre-departure preparation, such as skills assessment, certification, and training programs that familiarise workers with the host country’s language, culture, and legal framework.
These measures, he said, are designed to reduce workplace disputes, overstaying, and irregular migration.
Such reforms are increasingly important as destination countries raise standards and expect greater responsibility from labour-sending states.
Looking ahead, Dr Asif Nazrul proposed convening the next session of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) in Muscat in the first half of the year.
The JTC platform is expected to play a key role in resolving technical issues, setting recruitment frameworks, and ensuring smooth implementation of labour agreements.
He also invited the Omani labour minister to proceed with signing a finalised Memorandum of Understanding aimed at deepening labour cooperation and strengthening overall bilateral relations.
As global labour markets become more competitive and restrictive, Bangladesh’s ability to secure openings like Oman’s is likely to shape the future of its overseas employment strategy.
The assurance that work visas for Bangladesh would be reopened within the next two months offers not just immediate relief, but also a reminder of the importance of diplomacy, reform, and trust in sustaining labour mobility in a changing world.