Job change opportunity even if kafeel does not renew iqama; Bangladesh meets Saudi Arabia to expand labor market

On Tuesday, at the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury held a bilateral meeting with a Saudi delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Consular Affairs Dr. Mohammed A. M. Alshammari and Deputy Minister of Human Resources Muhannad bin Ahmed Al-Issa, where this information was communicated.

At the meeting, Saudi delegate Muhannad bin Ahmed Al-Issa said, if the kafeel does not renew the iqama for any reason at the workplace, the concerned Bangladeshi workers will quickly get the opportunity to renew the iqama under another employer, and there will be no legal complications.

At the meeting, Bangladesh put forward several proposals with the aim of expanding the labor market and further strengthening existing cooperation. These include reviewing and renewing three domestic worker recruitment agreements, the Skills Verification Program (SVP) agreement, and the general worker recruitment agreement. In addition, Bangladesh called for quickly convening meetings of the joint commission and the joint technical committee.

From Bangladesh's side, a proposal was also made to establish a ‘Saudi–Bangladesh Joint Technical Training Institute’ in the country through joint initiatives to ensure workers' skill development, Arabic language education, training on Saudi laws, culture and customs, and pre-departure orientation.

Moreover, a proposal was made to create a framework for mutual recognition of technical, vocational and professional qualifications to facilitate recruitment of skilled, highly skilled and professional workers in healthcare, construction, information technology (IT) and hospitality sectors. At the same time, Bangladesh requested ensuring timely issuance and renewal of work permits and iqamas for Bangladeshi workers. The issue of delays by some employers citing additional work permit fees was also brought to the attention of the Saudi authorities.

Expatriates' Welfare Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said, Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have a long-standing friendly relationship. Just as Bangladeshi workers are playing an important role in the development of Saudi Arabia, they are also making significant contributions to the national economy by sending remittances. Mentioning Qawmi madrasa students' proficiency in Arabic, he called for increasing employment opportunities for them in Saudi Arabia through appropriate training.

At the meeting, State Minister Md. Nurul Haque called for the recruitment of more skilled workers from Bangladesh ahead of the 2034 Saudi Arabia World Cup. He also emphasized ensuring the rights and safety of female domestic workers.

At that time, Secretary of the Ministry Md. Mokhtar Ahmed requested that Bangladeshi workers detained in Saudi prisons be included in a general amnesty on the occasion of the upcoming holy Ramadan and Eid.

In response, Saudi Deputy Minister Muhannad bin Ahmed Al-Issa expressed interest in recruiting more skilled and professional workers from Bangladesh in healthcare, construction, IT and hospitality sectors. He said that the Wage Protection System and insurance benefits have already been introduced to protect workers' rights. In addition, he assured that if detailed information about Bangladeshis detained in Saudi prisons is sent through diplomatic channels, the matter will be considered with importance.

Present at the meeting were Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Jaafar H. bin Abia, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Dr. Shakirul Islam Khan, and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.