Bangladesh and Qatar have reaffirmed their commitment to expanding labour cooperation, with Qatar expressing strong interest in recruiting skilled workers in four categories from five selected technical training centres in Bangladesh for four specialised sectors: electrical work, plumbing, air-conditioning technology, and welding.
The announcement came during the 7th Bangladesh-Qatar Joint Committee meeting held on Sunday at the conference room of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment in Dhaka.
Earlier on Sunday evening, Qatar's Labour Minister Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri made a courtesy call with Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the State Guest House Jamuna.
During the Monday's agreement signing ceremony, Bangladesh's Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury led the Bangladesh side, while Qatar's Labour Minister Dr. Ali bin Samikh Al Marri led the Qatari delegation.
The Qatari labour minister expressed particular interest in hiring Bangladeshi workers trained in electrical work, plumbing, air-conditioning technology, and welding from five designated technical training centres.
Welcoming the Qatari minister, Ariful Haque Chowdhury thanked him for visiting Bangladesh and highlighted the long-standing brotherly relations between the two countries. He also praised Qatar's initiatives to ensure the welfare and resolution of problems faced by Bangladeshi migrant workers.
The minister expressed gratitude to the Amir of Qatar for sending an air ambulance for the emergency treatment of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, calling it a remarkable humanitarian gesture.
Describing Qatar as one of the most attractive labour markets for Bangladeshis, the minister said more than 400,000 Bangladeshi workers are currently contributing to Qatar's development. He noted that 107,598 Bangladeshi workers migrated to Qatar in 2023 and expressed hope that the number would double this year.
He also requested the establishment of additional Qatari visa and medical centres in all eight divisional cities of Bangladesh, noting that the existing facilities in Dhaka are insufficient to meet growing demand.
State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare Md Nurul Haque urged Qatar to recruit more skilled Bangladeshi professionals, including doctors, engineers, nurses, caregivers, imams, muezzins, and religious teachers.
Qatar's Labour Minister praised the performance of Bangladeshi workers, stating that around 473,000 Bangladeshis are currently employed in Qatar, with nearly 30 percent engaged in the development sector. He also said Qatar has already established two specialised training centres to upgrade the skills of unskilled workers.
Responding to Bangladesh's request for more visa centres, the Qatari minister assured that he would personally discuss the matter with Qatar's Interior Minister.
