Adviser for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr Asif Nazrul reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to youth employment development and strengthening international labour cooperation at the Global Labour Market Conference in Riyadh.
On Wednesday, during a ministerial roundtable meeting in Riyadh, Dr Asif Nazrul highlighted the success of the Skills for Employment Investment Program.
Through this initiative, over 200,000 youths have already received training in various sectors, including IT, healthcare, and manufacturing.
70% of the trainees secured employment within just six months, demonstrating the effectiveness of industry-based training and public-private partnerships.
He said: “Our goal is not just to create job seekers but to transform our youth into vital contributors to both the national and global economies.”
He also mentioned digital job-matching platforms, AI-based employment solutions, and Bangladesh’s status as the world’s second-largest online freelancer supplier, generating over $500 million in revenue.
Reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to expanding sustainable employment opportunities, bridging education and industry, and ensuring the welfare of expatriate workers, Dr Nazrul expressed hope for deeper collaboration with international partners.
On Wednesday, policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, innovators, and labour experts from over 100 countries gathered for the second edition of the conference.
This conference serves as a crucial platform for outlining the future of the labour market and addressing key challenges.
Qatar-Bangladesh bilateral meeting
On the sidelines of the conference, Dr Asif Nazrul held a meeting with Qatar’s Minister of Labour, Dr Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al-Marri.
He expressed gratitude to Qatar for recognizing the significant contributions of Bangladeshi workers, particularly in large infrastructure projects, including the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Welcoming Qatar’s labour reforms, the adviser proposed several key initiatives for the welfare of workers.
These include: comprehensive insurance coverage for workers, including financial support in cases of natural death and legal complications; increased recruitment of skilled professionals in the health, technology, and renewable energy sectors under Qatar’s Vision 2030; and reducing migration costs while ensuring a more transparent recruitment process for Bangladeshi workers.
Dr Asif Nazrul also urged Qatar’s Minister of Labour to modernize the labour market by establishing skill-based training centres in Bangladesh.
Additionally, he proposed holding the seventh Joint Committee Meeting in Doha under the 1988 bilateral labour agreement in early 2025.
The Qatari minister praised the contributions of Bangladeshi workers and assured that the proposals would be reviewed.
On Thursday, Adviser Asif Nazrul will meet with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, the Home Minister, and Oman’s Minister of Labour on the sidelines of the conference.
