Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh set to finalize significant labour agreement within the next 2-3 weeks, as per Advisor Asif Nazrul.
Bangladesh on the Verge of Historical Labour Agreement with Saudi Arabia
Bangladesh is set to make a significant stride in its diplomatic and economic relations with Saudi Arabia, as the country prepares to sign a first-of-its-kind labour agreement within the next two to three weeks[1][2][3][4]. This historic pact, unique in the region as neither India nor Pakistan have similar agreements with Saudi Arabia, is expected to enhance the safety and security of Bangladeshi migrant workers in the Kingdom[1][4].
The agreement, which aims to establish robust legal and institutional safeguards for Bangladeshi migrant workers, will significantly improve their safety, rights, and working conditions by providing enhanced protection measures and promoting a more structured and regulated migration process between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia[1][2][4].
The deal follows years of diplomatic negotiations and attempts by previous governments, marking a major diplomatic and economic breakthrough for Bangladesh[1][4]. In addition to this labour agreement, the Bangladeshi government is also focusing on expanding safe and legal migration channels to other countries, such as Malaysia, as part of broader initiatives to support migrant workers and their welfare[1][2][4].
Adviser Asif Nazrul, speaking at the 'Remittance Fighters' Day' programme, emphasized the government's commitment to simplifying services and digitizing processes to minimize difficulties for migrants, which will complement the protections offered by the new labour agreement with Saudi Arabia[2][4]. The digitalization of services by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment is a recent development, as mentioned in the programme[2].
As part of his advice, Nazrul urged prospective migrants to be cautious and thoroughly research recruitment agents to avoid fraud[4]. He also emphasized the importance of knowing the risks before seeking work abroad, stating that spending Tk 10-15 lakh on an uncertain future is not a wise decision[4]. Nazrul's emphasis on the importance of knowing the risks before seeking work abroad is a new point in the article.
The programme, organized by the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, also highlighted that the process of sending workers to Malaysia has resumed[2]. Nazrul advised returnee migrants to reduce harassment and make processes easier by taking certain steps, as mentioned by him[2].
In conclusion, the upcoming labour agreement is expected to enhance the safety and security of Bangladeshi migrant workers by formalizing their rights and protections in Saudi Arabia’s labor market, thus reducing vulnerabilities and risks they have historically faced[1][4]. With the digitalization of services and the government's commitment to simplifying processes, Bangladeshi migrant workers are set to benefit significantly from this historic agreement.
- The upcoming labour agreement between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, a significant development in policy-and-legislation, is expected to be a game-changer in the politics of labour migration for both countries, as it will establish robust legal and institutional safeguards to protect the rights and enhance the security of Bangladeshi migrant workers.
- In the realm of general-news, the crime-and-justice implications are also noteworthy, as the agreement aims to mitigate the risks and vulnerabilities faced by Bangladeshi migrant workers, potentially reducing instances of exploitation and abuse in the Kingdom.
