Expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury at a meeting with Saudi Arabia ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah on Monday proposed simplifying the registration process of recruiting agencies at the Saudi embassy in Dhaka and significantly reducing migration costs.
Saudi Arabia ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah paid a courtesy call on Ariful Haque at his office in Dhaka, said a press release.
During the meeting, the minister expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for providing employment opportunities to nearly 30 lakh Bangladeshi nationals.
On behalf of prime minister Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh remains appreciative of Saudi Arabia’s continued support in employing Bangladeshi workers, he said.
He also highlighted the government’s future plans for expatriates’ welfare, mentioning that various modern facilities would be ensured through the introduction of a ‘Prabashi Card’ in line with the government’s election manifesto.
He also stressed expanding the ongoing ‘Skill Verification Programme’, currently covering 73 trades, to ensure the recruitment of skilled manpower.
The two sides discussed modernising Bangladesh’s Technical Training Centres in line with Saudi standards and operating them under joint supervision.
He also underscored the need to develop a digital database or Qualified Talent Bank of verified skilled workers to expedite the recruitment process from weeks to just a few days.
The minister reiterated the government’s zero tolerance policy against illegal transactions, irregularities and harassment in manpower recruitment.
He also urged the Saudi side to recruit more Bangladeshi professionals for white-collar jobs alongside skilled workers.
Secretary of the ministry Md Mokhter Ahmed sought Saudi cooperation in reducing Iqama renewal fee.
He also requested support in protecting migrant workers’ rights and ensuring the swift repatriation of bodies of deceased Bangladeshi workers.
The Saudi ambassador congratulated the current government and mentioned that many of the discussed issues were already included in an agreement signed between the two countries in October 2025.
He proposed incorporating the remaining issues into future agreements through further discussions.
The envoy said, ‘Although Iqama renewal fees are supposed to be borne by employers, they are often imposed on workers, which should not happen.’
He urged the minister to bring around 190 non-compliant recruiting agencies registered in Saudi Arabia under accountability.
He also proposed developing a dedicated app in coordination with the Saudi government and embassy to quickly resolve workers’ complaints.
Referring to educational cooperation, the ambassador said that Saudi Arabia was currently providing scholarships to around 250 Bangladeshi students, with plans to increase the number to 500.
The envoy further called for necessary steps to launch Saudi Airlines flights from Saudi Arabia to Sylhet.
BNP chairperson’s adviser Mohammad Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Saudi embassy consular Abdullah Al-Harbi, and senior officials of the ministries concerned were present at the meeting.
