Riyadh: Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Asif Nazrul has announced that Oman has assured the reopening of work visas for Bangladeshis within the next two months. This development was disclosed following a meeting with Oman’s Minister of Labour, Dr Mahad bin Said bin Ali Baawain, during the Global Labour Market Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the discussion between the two officials also highlighted Oman’s initiative to regularise irregular Bangladeshi workers without imposing fines. Asif Nazrul expressed his appreciation for this move and urged the Omani minister to facilitate the entry of skilled Bangladeshi professionals such as engineers, doctors, and nurses into the Omani labour market. Furthermore, he requested a review of the suspension on visas for unskilled and semi-skilled workers, as detailed in a PID handout.
The Omani Labour Minister explained that the suspension of new work visas for unskilled and semi-skilled workers, in place since 2023, aims to prioritise the regularisation of undocumented migrant workers already residing in Oman. Asif Nazrul also elaborated on Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to enhance migration management through technology, ensuring transparency, accountability, legal reforms, pre-departure skill verification, and training on host country language, culture, and laws.
In addition, Asif Nazrul proposed holding the next meeting of the Joint Technical Committee in Muscat in the first half of the year. He extended an invitation to the Omani Labour Minister to sign a finalised Memorandum of Understanding, which aims to strengthen bilateral relations and enhance labour cooperation between the two countries.