KSA to start hiring BD workers this month
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is set to start the process of recruiting Bangladeshi female workers from this month along with their close male relatives, paving the way for resuming manpower export to the Middle-East country, said officials.
A decision to this effect was taken at a joint working group (JWG) meeting between a visiting Bangladeshi delegation and the Saudi deputy minister for labour in Riyadh last week.
“The Saudi deputy labour minister has agreed to begin hiring female workers along with their male relatives shortly,” said M Abdur Rauf, joint secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (EWOE).
In line with its earlier announcement, the labour-receiving country is going to open its door for male workers. One close male relative of each female worker can now secure job in housekeeping sector of the KSA, he also said.
“The country is expected to start manpower hiring from this month.”
After completing recruitment process, the country will start manpower hiring. Saudi recruiters will communicate with Bangladeshi private recruiters to work out the recruitment process, Mr Rauf added.
When asked, the ministry official said the Saudi authority concerned did not disclose the number of workers to be hired from Bangladesh.
Earlier, KSA also assured EWOE Minister Nurul Islam BSc of hiring close male relatives of female workers to the oil-rich country at zero migration cost.
In order to ensure female workers’ protection and help lessen their homesickness the KSA took the decision.
Referring to his Saudi counterpart the visiting minister then said under the system the gulf country wants to hire 0.2 million female workers along with their male relatives.
Female workers can take their husband, brother, cousin or neighbour as escort, who will be recruited in housekeeping jobs like driver, caregiver, guard, gardener and home supervisor etc.
Officials close to the meeting said Bangladeshi female workers are usually homesick, so they are not willing to stay longer abroad. If their relatives go with them they can feel at ease. Besides, they can take cooperation, if they face any problem.
