When two nations commit to partnership, they build something more lasting than contracts – they build trust, dignity, and common purpose.
With our newly signed bilateral labor agreement, we are ushering in a fresh chapter in labor mobility – one that places safety, fairness, and shared prosperity at its heart.
Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia already share a deep and meaningful bond. Generations of Bangladeshi workers have contributed to the development of Saudi Arabia, as well as supporting families in our country and in Bangladesh. That legacy is one of shared endeavor. But as times change, so too must the frameworks through which we engage.
This new agreement establishes a modern framework for cooperation – one built on ethical recruitment, stronger protections for workers, and clear mechanisms to ensure rights and responsibilities are upheld by all parties.
At its core, it commits both countries to ensuring recruitment is transparent, fair, and traceable. Every worker must receive a documented offer and contract before departure, issued through authorized digital channels, ensuring ethical recruitment and protecting dignity. The agreement clearly prohibits any recruitment agency or employer from charging workers unauthorized fees or deducting costs from their salaries – a critical safeguard that protects workers and ensures accountability on both sides. The same care applies to domestic workers, who will benefit from defined roles, fair terms, and job-readiness preparation before they leave home.
Equally important, it strengthens welfare and access to justice. Both governments have agreed to promote safe working and living conditions, provide 24-hour assistance, and enable efficient resolution of disputes. The agreement also guarantees that every worker’s salary will be paid directly into a bank account in their name, reinforcing our commitment to wage protection and financial transparency.
To the government of Bangladesh, to training institutions, to recruitment agencies, to Saudi employers, and to workers themselves – this agreement offers a platform for deeper alignment. It is an invitation for curricula to match real demand, for institutions to certify to global benchmarks, and for workers to take pride in credentials that are meaningful across borders.
To ensure accountability and progress, a Joint Technical Committee will meet regularly to monitor implementation, review challenges, and recommend improvements. This mechanism ensures that cooperation remains active and adaptive as both economies continue to evolve.
As we implement this agreement, we are not merely filling jobs – we are constructing a skills-first labor corridor. When recruitment is transparent, contracts protected, salaries guaranteed, and safety nonnegotiable, all parties benefit – workers, businesses, and nations alike.
For our part, the Kingdom has in recent years modernized the mechanisms of recruitment, employment, and mobility. Digital systems now document contracts before travel, reducing ambiguity and risk. The Wage Protection System ensures that salaries are disbursed electronically, full and on time. Dispute-resolution channels have been strengthened with digital access, and occupational safety and health protocols have been elevated through clearer rules, more frequent inspections, and seasonal protections for outdoor workers.
Bangladesh, for its part, has committed to ensuring that all workers are medically fit, properly trained, and briefed on Saudi laws, customs, and workplace standards before departure. Together, these steps ensure that migration is safe, well-prepared, and mutually beneficial.
Under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, new sectors are opening, demand is diversifying, and opportunities abound. In this moment, our partnership with Bangladesh can deepen – not as a transactional exchange but as a strategic alignment in education, mobility, and prosperity.
Let us work together so that every qualified Bangladeshi professional who comes to Saudi Arabia does so with clarity and confidence – and so that both nations share in the gains of growth, security, and mutual respect.
Writer: Ahmed bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
