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Greece-Bangladesh labour deal faces visa hurdles: envoy
Published : Monday, 5 October, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Press Release
Bangladesh Ambassador to Greece Nahida Rahman Shumona has highlighted the implementation challenges of the Greece-Bangladesh labour mobility agreement, under which up to 4,000 Bangladeshi workers can enter Greece annually, saying fewer than 500 have arrived over the past two years due to procedural obstacles.
She made the remarks as a keynote speaker at a high-level session titled “The Diplomatic Perspective: The Future of Agricultural Production – Labour Mobility, Skills and International Partnerships” at Olympia Forum VII, held from September 29 to October 1 at the International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia.
The session, moderated by Olympia Forum President Lefteris Varouxis, brought together experts, policymakers and representatives of international institutions to discuss the future of agricultural production and the role of international labour mobility.
Ambassador Shumona said demographic changes are reshaping labour markets globally and creating new pressures on labour supply, making structured and efficient labour-mobility schemes increasingly important.
Referring to the bilateral labour mobility agreement, she said the framework provides for the entry of up to 4,000 Bangladeshi workers annually. However, actual arrivals have remained significantly lower, with fewer than 500 workers entering Greece over the past two years.
She identified the visa-issuance process as a major obstacle, noting that Bangladeshi applicants currently have to travel to India to obtain the necessary entry visa for Greece. She stressed the need to streamline and reorganise administrative procedures so that the agreement can function effectively and help meet Greece’s labour-market needs.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of skills and training for workers entering the Greek labour market. Participants agreed that bilateral cooperation should extend beyond labour mobility to education, vocational preparation and skills development, enabling workers to advance professionally and respond to the changing demands of agricultural production.
Ambassador Shumona reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to working closely with Greek authorities to strengthen cooperation in labour mobility and skills development, stressing that education is a cornerstone of a sustainable bilateral partnership.
The session concluded that addressing demographic and labour-market challenges requires inter-state coordination, improved mobility mechanisms and investment in human capital. It also emphasised the potential for Greece and Bangladesh to develop joint initiatives in labour and education to support agricultural productivity and meet market needs more effectively.
Olympia Forum 2026 was co-organised by the Region of Western Greece, the Municipality of Ancient Olympia, the Green Fund, the Municipality of Pyrgos, KEDE, ENPE, the Chamber of Ilia and the University of the Peloponnese.
The event was held under the auspices of several Greek institutions, including the University of Patras, the Chamber of Achaia, the Hellenic Development Bank and several ministries.
- MaT
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
