Dhaka, April 27 (V7N) — Saudi Ambassador Dr. Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya today paid a courtesy call on Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury at his office, where both sides discussed strengthening cooperation on migrant workers and expatriates’ welfare.  

 

The minister thanked the envoy for Saudi Arabia’s continued support in employing nearly three million Bangladeshi nationals and conveyed appreciation on behalf of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He highlighted future plans, including the introduction of a “Probashi Card” to ensure modern facilities for expatriates.  

 

Ariful Haque proposed simplifying recruiting agency registration at the Saudi Embassy, reducing migration costs, and expanding the “Skill Verification Programme” beyond its current 73 trades. He also stressed modernizing Technical Training Centres (TTCs) under joint supervision and developing a digital “Qualified Talent Bank” of verified skilled workers to expedite recruitment.  

 

The minister reiterated the government’s “zero tolerance” policy against irregularities in manpower recruitment and urged Saudi Arabia to recruit more Bangladeshi professionals for white-collar jobs.  

 

Saudi Response

Ambassador Ubayya noted that many of the issues raised were already included in a bilateral agreement signed in October 2025, and proposed incorporating the rest into future accords. He emphasized that Iqama renewal fees should be borne by employers, not workers, and urged accountability for 190 non-compliant recruiting agencies.  

 

The envoy also suggested developing a dedicated app to resolve workers’ complaints quickly and announced plans to increase Saudi scholarships for Bangladeshi students from 250 to 500. He further called for launching Saudi Airlines flights to Sylhet.  

 

At the end of the meeting, the minister invited the ambassador to visit Sylhet and assured steps would be taken to introduce direct Saudi Airlines flights to the city.  

 

BNP Chairperson’s Adviser Dr. Mohammad Enamul Haque Chowdhury, Saudi Embassy Consular Abdullah Al-Harbi, and senior officials of the ministries concerned were present.  

END/AJ/RH