KSA allows BD workers to change work permits

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has allowed Bangladeshi workers to transfer the much-awaited Iqama or work permit, said officials.
"Bangladeshis working in Saudi Arabia will be enjoying the opportunity to transfer their Iqama and change jobs there from February 16, 2014," a circular of the  Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry said Thursday.
Such an opportunity, according to the circular, is considered to be a pre-condition for opening up Bangladesh's manpower export to the kingdom.       

Secretary to the ministry Khandaker Shawkat Hossain told the FE it was a great opportunity for Bangladeshi workers and it would create a positive environment for resuming the country's manpower export there.
"For a long time, the Saudi market has been remaining closed for Bangladeshi workers," said the Secretary adding that it was a piece of good news for the country.
He also said around 0.8 million Bangladeshi migrant workers already corrected their job status under amnesty.
Responding to a query, Mr Hossain said workers would be sent to the kingdom based on the government database. The government-to-government (G-to-G) arrangement and the private initiative would be applicable to the recruitment process.
He said the private recruiters, who would came up with proper job demands, would be allowed to recruit workers for the Middle East country. But they had to follow ILO rules and reduce migration cost.
The top ministry official, however, said they were giving priority to sending skilled workers to the oil-rich country.
Meanwhile, the Bangladeshi consul general in Jeddah has said Bangladesh is considering sending women housekeepers with jobs to the kingdom.
   Mr Mohammad Najmul Islam noted a study was now under way to properly train such workers to properly conduct their duties, reported the Saudi Gazette on February 13.
"The study's findings will be completed shortly and housekeepers will be employed on a SR1, 000 monthly salary. The Bangladesh authorities have prepared data on more than 2.0 million workers who have been properly trained in 64 training centres."
Nearly around 1.3 million Bangladeshis are working in the kingdom. Now 80 per cent of Bangladeshi migrants are working in the Muslim countries which engage them mainly in construction sector.