Bangladesh expands labor markets beyond gulf: Asif Nazrul

Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, Professor Asif Nazrul, has announced that Bangladesh is actively diversifying its overseas employment avenues beyond the Middle East, as part of broader reforms to protect migrant workers and modernize the labor export system.

Speaking at a press conference at the ministry’s headquarters on Wednesday, Nazrul highlighted significant progress over the past year, including the release of detained workers, new market openings, and digital transformation of services.

Nazrul confirmed that 1,876 Bangladeshi expatriates detained in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries for supporting the July Uprising have been released following diplomatic intervention.

“These workers were imprisoned not for crimes, but for standing with the people’s movement. Their release is a moral and diplomatic victory,” he said.

Rehabilitation programs are ongoing for returnees. Those wishing to work abroad again will be sent to Brunei in phases under the Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL).

To reduce overdependence on the Gulf, the ministry is pursuing labor agreements with non-traditional destinations:
Iraq: A high-level Iraqi delegation will visit Bangladesh in September to sign an MoU for worker deployment—marking access to Iraq’s previously closed labor market.Saudi Arabia: A historic bilateral labor agreement is in the final stage and expected to be signed soon—the first of its kind between the two nations.Singapore: The verification process has been simplified to enable faster deployment of workers.Brunei: Phased sending of workers has already begun.
The ministry is advancing reforms to regularize the overseas employment of women, ensuring safer and fairer opportunities.

A new initiative offers six months of specialized training for caregivers, equipping them as skilled workers for global markets—increasing their employability and protection abroad.

Worker deployment to Malaysia is resuming under the existing agreement signed by the previous government. In the first phase, 8,000 workers—previously stranded due to political disruptions—will be sent. Malaysia continues to select candidates from the original list, which remains valid.

To support expatriates financially, the Expatriate Welfare Bank has reduced interest rates by 1% and now allows direct remittance transfers, improving accessibility and reducing dependency on informal channels.

In collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the ministry launched the Overseas Employment Platform (OEP)—a free, integrated digital system connecting job seekers, recruiting agencies, employers, Bangladesh missions, and BMET.

The OEP streamlines training, documentation, and clearance, reducing delays, costs, and corruption.

Exit clearance is being decentralized to District Employment and Manpower Offices (DEMOs) in 21 major districts, allowing workers to complete procedures locally—cutting travel costs and bureaucratic hurdles.

Nazrul acknowledged that while complete reform cannot happen in one year, a solid foundation has been laid.
“Legal changes are underway. Recruiting agencies are being brought under transparency. But eliminating fake documentation and malpractice won’t happen overnight,” he said.

He expressed confidence that if the current momentum continues, Bangladesh can build a fairer, safer, and more diversified overseas employment system.