Asif Nazrul urges Qatar to provide insurance for natural death of Bangladeshi workers
He called for lowering migration costs and ensuring a transparent recruitment process
Asif Nazrul, adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, today (29 January) urged Qatar to provide comprehensive insurance covering Bangladeshi workers' natural death and financial assistance for workers in legal disputes.
In a meeting with Qatari Labour Minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri on the sidelines of the Global Labour Market Conference in Riyadh, Nazrul also urged Qatar to increase recruitment of skilled Bangaldeshi professionals in healthcare, technology, and renewable energy to support Qatar's Vision 2030, reads a press release.
In addition, he called for lowering migration costs and ensuring a transparent recruitment process.
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Nazrul expressed gratitude for Qatar's continued support of Bangladeshi workers. He acknowledged their contributions to major infrastructure projects, including the FIFA World Cup 2022, and welcomed Qatar's labour reforms.
The adviser also invited Qatar to establish skill-specific training centres in Bangladesh and modernise its labour ecosystem.
He proposed convening the 7th Joint Committee Meeting in Doha in early 2025 to strengthen cooperation under the 1988 bilateral labour agreement.
The Qatari labour minister praised the contributions of Bangladeshi workers and assured that his ministry would review the proposals positively.
At the conference in Riyadh, Nazrul reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to enhancing youth employability and strengthening international labour cooperation.
At the Ministerial Round Table, Nazrul highlighted Bangladesh's Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP), which has successfully trained over 200,000 youth in key industries such as IT, healthcare, and manufacturing. With 70% of graduates securing jobs within six months, Bangladesh has demonstrated the effectiveness of industry-driven training and public-private partnerships, according to the press release.
"Our goal is to ensure that Bangladesh's youth are not just job seekers but valuable contributors to both domestic and international economies," said Nazrul.
He emphasised digital job-matching platforms, AI-driven employment solutions, and Bangladesh's position as the world's second-largest supplier of online freelancers, generating over $500 million annually.
Reaffirming Bangladesh's dedication to sustainable employment opportunities, bridging the gap between education and industry, and ensuring the well-being of its overseas workforce, Nazrul expressed optimism about deepening cooperation with international partners.
Policymakers, industry leaders, scholars, innovators, and labour sector experts from over 100 countries convened in Saudi Arabia today for the second edition of the Global Labour Market Conference. The event serves as a pivotal platform for addressing key challenges and shaping the future of the global labour market.
