A contract on recruitment of workers was signed between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia in Riyadh on Monday (October 6, 2025). On behalf of Bangladesh, Advisor to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr. Asif Nazrul and on behalf of Saudi Arabia, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Engineer Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Razi signed the agreement.
This is the first formal agreement on general recruitment of workers in the 50-year history of diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.
Saudi Arabia has been recruiting workers as the largest labor market in Bangladesh since 1976, but until now there was no formal agreement on general recruitment of workers.
Earlier, two special agreements were signed in 2015 on the recruitment of domestic workers and in 2022 on the verification of skills.
It is expected that this new agreement will increase the opportunities for hiring skilled workers from Bangladesh in various professions in Saudi Arabia. In addition, the rights and interests of both workers and employers will be further protected. This will play a helpful role in further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries.
Before the signing of the agreement, a bilateral meeting was held between the Saudi Minister and Dr. Asif Nazrul.
In the meeting, Advisor Asif Nazrul highlighted the importance of ensuring that the recruitment process in Saudi Arabia is transparent and correct, that employers fulfill their responsibilities for Iqama renewal, and that workers wishing to return home receive exit visas quickly.
The Saudi Minister directed the relevant authorities to take effective steps to resolve these issues quickly and urged Bangladesh to take necessary initiatives to ensure safe and orderly migration.
The meeting also had fruitful discussions on increasing cooperation in recruiting and training skilled workers from Bangladesh, and ensuring the welfare and security of expatriate workers.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md. Delwar Hossain, Deputy Head of Mission SM Nazmul Hasan, Labor Counselor Muhammad Rezae Rabbi and other relevant officials from the two countries were present at the time.
