Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on Monday signed their first formal labour recruitment agreement, aimed at ensuring fair hiring practices and safeguarding the rights of workers.

Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Prof Asif Nazrul and Saudi Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Engineer Ahmad Bin Solaiman Al-Rajhi signed the deal in the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Although Saudi Arabia has been recruiting workers from Bangladesh since 1976, this is the first general labour agreement between the two countries.

Previously, two special agreements were in place—one signed in 2015 for domestic workers, and another in 2022 regarding skill verification.

Experts believe the new agreement will boost the recruitment of skilled workers from Bangladesh across various sectors, while better protecting the rights of both workers and employers.

The agreement also mentioned that it would contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.

Prior to the signing, Asif Nazrul and Ahmad Bin Solaiman Al-Rajhi held a bilateral meeting where key labour issues were discussed.

Asif Nazrul urged the Saudi minister to ensure proper issuance of job contracts, make employers responsible for work permit renewal fees, and to expedite the exit visa process for workers wishing to return home.

He assured that Bangladesh would enhance its training and skill certification processes to provide a more qualified labour force to Saudi Arabia.

The meeting also discussed plans to establish a training centre in Bangladesh with Saudi investment, introduce a digital verification system for recruiting workers, implement stronger protections for female workers, and develop a joint monitoring system to curb illegal brokerage.

Among others, Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Delwar Hossain, Deputy Chief of Mission SM Nazmul Hasan and Labour Councillor Muhammad Reza-E-Rabbi were also present.