BD-Saudi deal on manpower

The governments of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia inked an agreement Tuesday, paving the way for resuming export of manpower from Bangladesh to the Middle East (ME) country.
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment (EWOE) secretary Khandakar Iftekhar Haidar and deputy minister of labour of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Ahmed Al Fahaid signed the MoU  on behalf of their respective sides at the city's Probashi Kallyan Bhaban.
After signing the MoU, the secretary told the media that though Saudi Arabia would hire 12 categories of workers in the housekeeping sector from Bangladesh, of them, the minimum wage for housemaid has been fixed at 800 Saudi Riyals (equivalent to Tk 16,564). Accommodation and meal will be provided by the employers.
The remaining categories of workers would get wages on the basis of their skills and qualifications, he mentioned. "Saudi government has assured us of taking manpower from Bangladesh in other sectors also," he added.
But earlier Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain said workers would get 1500 Saudi Riyals (equivalent to Tk 31,456). Bangladesh will not send workers if the kingdom does not offer the wages as agreed.
Besides, the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) and Saudi private recruiters' association signed a deal on the same day on recruitment of maids and drivers from Bangladesh.
National Committee for Recruitment at the Council of Chambers of Commerce (SNARCOM) chairman Sadd Nahar Albabbah and BAIRA president Mohammad Abul Bashar signed the MoU at its office in the city, BAIRA president confirmed to the FE.
"An MoU on manpower recruitment from Bangladesh by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was signed between both countries' private sectors," Mr Bashar said.
He said within one month the host country would start hiring maids and drivers from Bangladesh at a zero cost, he said.  
Currently the oil-rich country needs 200,000 hands for housekeeping and also as drivers. Saudi private sector has assured to take maximum of the same from Bangladesh, he said.
According to the agreement, Bangladeshi workers will be sent to the Arab country at a zero cost. Recruitment service charges will be provided by the employers.
"Employers will bear all costs related to migration. Workers only will bear their internal expenses like transportation cost, when they will come to Dhaka from their hometowns or villages," he added.   
A 19-member Saudi delegation including the SNARCOM representative, led by Ahmed Al Fahaid, arrived in Dhaka Sunday last to discuss modalities of manpower recruitment.
Speaking to reporters, the Saudi deputy minister Monday said: "Bangladesh will get priority in recruiting 1.3 million foreign workers this year and his government is considering keeping migration costs lower."
Saudi Arabia lifted a seven-year embargo this month on hiring Bangladeshis.
So far a total of 2.63 million Bangladeshis travelled to the oil-rich country with jobs
An estimated 1.5 million Bangladeshis are currently employed in the kingdom.
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