Jordan set to recruit 50,000 BD workers in two years

Arafat Ara | Published: September 06, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Jordan is set to recruit some 50,000 workers from Bangladesh for construction and other sectors in two years, sources said.
Jordan authority has recently assured a visiting Bangladesh delegation of hiring the aforesaid number of workers from Bangladesh
Secretary of Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, Khondaker Showkat Hossain, who led the delegation, told the FE that the government of Jordan had expressed its willingness to recruit Bangladeshi workers in various sectors like construction, garment and household.
The secretary said during his recent visit the Jordanian authority has assured him of receiving about 50,000 workers from Bangladesh between 2014 and 2015 for its development work. He also said Jordan has expressed its willingness to recruit a significant number of workers in construction sector. Now the labour importing country hires garment workers and domestic helps through the Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL).
Currently there are around 10,000 house maids and 7000 Bangladeshi garment workers in Jordan, according to the expatriates' welfare ministry secretary.
Jordan, which now has about 30,000 Bangladeshi workers, had slapped a ban on recruitment from Bangladesh in 2006. In 2010, it relaxed the ban allowing recruitment of only female workers for apparel sector.
Mr Hossain, however, said both the countries will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) shortly over security issues and enhancement of overseas employments for Bangladeshi workers.
Replying to a query over protection of female migrants, he said there are little complaints over exploitation of Bangladeshi female workers in Jordan. "But we remain very alert over this issue as a single such incident is also very embarrassing for us"
"We have discussed about security issue with Jordan government and also demanded insurance coverage for our domestic helps," he added.
Bangladesh is also going to launch a safe home in Jordan for female migrants shortly, the top ministry official hinted.