Jumbangla Desk: Migration of skilled Bangladeshi workers has increased since the beginning of this year in search of employment in Saudi Arabia's giga projects. According to a report of Arab News citing Dhaka yesterday, about seven lakh Bangladeshis applied for jobs abroad this year. Of these, a record 374,000 people went to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia

Since 2017, Saudi Arabia has become the preferred destination for expatriate Bangladeshis. Referring to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), Arab News also reported that Saudi Arabia currently has the largest number of Bangladeshi expatriate workers after Malaysia and Qatar.

In this regard, BMET Additional Secretary Shah Abdul Tariq told Arab News, "There is a high demand for migrant workers in Saudi Arabia due to several ongoing giga projects."

Tarek also said, 'Recently we have aimed to increase the export of skilled workers. Many of our construction workers go to Saudi Arabia in the skilled category. Many drivers and electricians are also working as skilled workers.'

Saudi Arabia has launched several giga projects under its 'Vision-2030' implementation plan. Among these projects is the multi-billion dollar Neom Smart City (NEOM). Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is overseeing these projects.

The country launched a skills verification program in Bangladesh last February to advance the professional qualifications of workers in the Saudi labor market. The program focused on various professions including plumbers, electricians and construction workers. Besides, BMET authorities of Bangladesh have also set up 150 centers to provide free training to potential Bangladeshi workers for employment in Saudi Arabia.

BMET Additional Secretary Shah Abdul Tarek said, 'We are focusing on equipping the training centers with modern equipment and logistics.

"Our private sector recruiting agents are working diligently to further engage with the Saudi Giga-project. If this trend continues, I think our export of skilled manpower to Saudi will increase in the future.'

Bangladeshi development agency BRAC's head of migration program Shariful Hasan told Arab News, 'Bangladeshi migrant workers are choosing Saudi Arabia because of the friendly relations between the two countries.'

Shariful said skilled Bangladeshi migrants are also being hired in the IT and financial sectors. Because Saudi Arabia wants to establish itself as a global investment powerhouse with state-of-the-art digital infrastructure.