Diplomatic Desk:
Md. Nurul Haque, MP, State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment of Bangladesh, held meetings with representatives from two key South Korean organizations. The discussions focused on expanding employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in South Korea, enhancing their technical skills, and strengthening bilateral cooperation within the labor market.
On Tuesday (October 20), in Seoul, the South Korean capital, the State Minister met separately with representatives from the National Employment Service Association of Korea (NESA) and the Construction Association of Korea (CAK). During these meetings, he explored avenues for creating new job opportunities and broadening existing prospects for Bangladeshi workers.
In his meeting with NESA representatives, the State Minister emphasized the need to increase the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers under South Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS). He also called for enhanced bilateral cooperation in areas such as seasonal employment, technical skill development, Korean language education, and vocational training.
Commending South Korea’s achievements in industrialization and human resource development, the State Minister stated that Bangladesh is prepared to supply a skilled, qualified, and trained workforce tailored to the demands of the South Korean labor market.
During the meeting, NESA representatives highlighted the contributions and potential of Bangladeshi workers in the context of Korean language proficiency, job-specific training, and international development cooperation. Discussions also covered the importance of ensuring that workers acquire practical Korean language skills and receive workplace-oriented training before arriving in South Korea—measures designed to help them adapt quickly to the local work environment and improve their professional efficiency.
Separately, in his meeting with representatives from the Construction Association of Korea (CAK), the State Minister urged for the expansion of employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers within South Korea’s construction sector. He further emphasized the need to strengthen communication and networking with South Korean construction firms to facilitate the integration of Bangladeshi personnel into this industry. Highlighting the experience of Bangladeshi workers in the international construction sector, the State Minister stated that the Government of Bangladesh is committed to ensuring technical training, professional skills, and workplace safety for these workers.
During the meeting, representatives from CAK and leading South Korean construction firms emphasized the importance of worker safety, effective communication, and specialized technical knowledge within the construction industry. They also expressed a positive outlook regarding the potential for recruiting Bangladeshi workers—those proficient in practical Korean and possessing the necessary technical qualifications—into South Korea’s construction sector.
Both meetings underscored the importance of strengthening institutional cooperation, ensuring comprehensive pre-departure preparation for workers, and exploring new employment opportunities. The State Minister directed that regular communication be maintained between the relevant South Korean authorities and the Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul to ensure the swift and effective implementation of the decisions reached during the discussions.
