DHAKA : Saudi Arabia has eased the “iqama” for Bangladeshi workers under a revised rule allowing new “kafeels” or sponsors to renew their residence permit if original “kafeels” decline or unavailable to do so, visiting Saudi Deputy Minister for Human Resources Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Essa said today.

The Saudi junior minister disclosed the decision as he met Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury at his office here.

“According to the Saudi (junior) minister Bangladeshi workers, from now on, could get the iqamas renewed promptly by any new kafeel or employer and they will not require the approval of their original sponsors,” an official familiar with the meeting said.

He said at the very onset of the meeting Mohammed bin Ahmed Al-Essa conveyed the “good news” to Chowdhury, who thanked the Saudi authorities for the decision.

The overseas employment minister, however, urged the Saudi authorities to ensure the timely issuance and renewal of work permits and iqamas and sought cooperation in addressing delays caused by some employers citing increased work permit fees.

The official said during the meeting Bangladesh proposed several initiatives to strengthen bilateral labour cooperation which included renewal of agreements on domestic worker recruitment, the Skills Verification Programme and general worker recruitment.

Bangladesh also proposed establishing a Saudi-Bangladesh Joint Technical Training Institute to enhance workers’ skills, provide Arabic language training and familiarize prospective workers with Saudi laws, culture, customs and pre-departure orientation.

“We also proposed development of a framework for the mutual recognition of technical, vocational and professional qualifications to facilitate the recruitment of skilled, highly skilled and professional workers in the sectors like healthcare, construction, ICT and hospitality,” he said.

He said Chowdhhury told the Saudi minister that qawmi madrasah student possessed stronger Arabic language skills and they could be provided with appropriate training to create greater employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

The minister said the Bangladeshi workers playing a vital role in our country’s economy through remittance inflows alongside making significant contributions to Saudi Arabia’s development.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Haque also joined the meeting and told the Saudi minister that the kingdom would require increased number of foreign workers ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup as the host of the event.

He urged him to recruit more skilled workers from Bangladesh coinciding with the event and also emphasized the importance of ensuring the rights and protection of Bangladeshi female domestic workers in kingdom, in particular.

Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Mokhtar Ahmed requested Saudi Arabia to consider granting amnesty to the Bangladeshi workers currently detained there ahead of the upcoming holy Ramadan and Eid.

Responding to Bangladesh’s proposals, Al-Essa expressed Saudi’s strong interest in recruiting skilled and professional Bangladeshi workers in key sectors including healthcare, construction, information technology and hospitality.

He said Saudi Arabia by now introduced the Wage Protection System (WPS) and mandatory insurance schemes to safeguard workers’ rights.

The Saudi junior minister also assured the Bangladeshi side that if detailed information on detained Bangladeshi workers is provided through diplomatic channels, his government will give due consideration to their cases under the proposed amnesty.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Jafar H. Bin Abiyah, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Dr. Shakirul Islam Khan and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment.