Saudi labour market reopening soon

Amid allegations of anomalies in the recruitment process, Saudi Arabia (KSA), one of the largest expatriate labour markets for Bangladeshis closed its doors seven years ago. Thanks to the diplomatic flurry between the two countries, KSA has agreed to give out labour visas to Bangladeshis once again. Prior to the ban in 2008, an estimated 100,000 Bangladeshis used to obtain jobs in the Kingdom on an annual basis. The lift of the ban across the board enables expatriate workers to apply for jobs in all sectors of KSA's economy. We are informed that a formal announcement will soon be forthcoming from the Saudi labour ministry.

Now that Bangladesh has got a new lease on this lucrative Middle East labour market, it is time to institutionalise the recruitment process. Transparency in the online registration system is of utmost importance as no one, particularly our prospective workers destined to that market want to fall victim to unethical recruitment agencies. It is also time to do our homework to satisfy a key KSA requirement that would-be workers receive an informative orientation programme prior to their departure from Bangladesh to KSA so that they are familiar with what is required over there. There is urgent need for imparting necessary training here in Bangladesh in order that our workers excel in their respective jobs and professions in overseas labour destinations. The order may seem long, but we cannot forget that Bangladesh is not the only country in Asia competing for a slice of the international labour markets.