Bangladesh will increase the number of housemaids going to Saudi Arabia on a request made by the Saudi government.

‘The announcement was made on Thursday following the bilateral talks held in Riyadh between Saudi Minister of Labour Mufarrej bin Saad Al-Haqbani and Bangladesh Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Islam at the Saudi Labour Ministry headquarters’ reported the Arab News.

During the meeting, Bangladesh Ambassador Golam Moshi was also present.

The ambassador said it was a successful discussion which paved the way for new areas of cooperation in bilateral labour matters, reported Arab News.

‘Besides more maids from Bangladesh, the Saudi minister also wants male and female academicians to work for Saudi universities,’ Moshi said, pointing out that other categories of workers would be recruited by the Kingdom subsequently.

‘The envoy said that around 4,000 housemaids come to the Kingdom monthly and this will be increased to cater to the local labor market. At present there are some 20,000 Bangladesh maids working in the Kingdom. ‘

‘He said that the Saudi minister has promised to appoint mega labour recruiting offices to deal with the large intake of housemaids.’

‘There are more than 36,000 housemaids ready to come to the Kingdom from Dhaka,’ he noted.

‘During the bilateral meeting, both ministers agreed to enhance cooperation in manpower sector through addressing issues to reduce migration cost, imparting training to Saudi-bound workers and recruiting more male workers for mutual benefits.’

‘Describing the talks as highly successful, Moshi said the discussions cantered on various topics such as human resources development, manpower training, recruitment of Bangladesh manpower to the Kingdom and several other matters related to the labor affairs of the two countries.’

‘Al-Haqbani expressed his country’s willingness to work together in the area of human resource development and recruitment for mutual benefits at the bilateral meeting. He referred that both countries had agreed to cooperate in this manpower sector through signing of an agreement in February this year and hoped that this visit would serve to improve cooperation in manpower sector between the two countries.’

‘Appreciating the measures taken by Bangladesh, Al-Haqbani underlined the need for regular and increased interaction between officials of both the countries to enhance better understanding of the issues related to manpower sector.’

‘He assured that Saudi Arabia would recruit male family members of the housemaids as well as open up the market soon for all categories of male domestic workers.’

‘The visiting Bangladesh minister termed relations between the two countries as a time tested and deep rooted one with common history, faith, culture and religion. He appreciated the noble gesture of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and his government toward Bangladesh over the years.’

‘Apprising the recent initiatives and measures taken for the improvement in the manpower sector in Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladesh minister sought the support of the government of Saudi Arabia for further recruitment of skilled, semi-skilled workers and professionals such as doctors, engineers and nurses from Bangladesh.’

‘The Bangladesh minister told his Saudi counterpart that Bangladesh has taken special measures to train all workers who intend to go overseas for employment including to Saudi Arabia.’

‘He said that Bangladesh is now giving one month training on language, culture and basic skills to housemaids before their departure for Saudi Arabia.’