The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Saudi Deputy Minister for Labour, Ahmed Abdulraham-Al-Mansour, urged Bangladeshi authority to send workers with adequate knowledge about Saudi culture, lack of which often embarrasses both the sides.

Meanwhile, about 130 Bangladeshi workers have been staging protest in Saudi Arabia, in front of Bangladeshi Consulate Jeddah for last 10 days, protesting against alleged maltreatment by their Saudi employer.

The protesting Bangladeshi labours have complained that they had to run-away from their work, as they were unpaid for last 16 months.

"Our companies have not renewed our resident permits, which made us officially illegal. Now we are in a constant fear of being deported without receiving our dues," said a protester to the Arab News. This technical hazard has prevented us from searching another job as well, he added.

According to the report, Saudi employers have resorted to maltreating Bangladeshi labour, using such legal complications. Protesting labours however demanded immediate action from the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah to, help their countrymen.

Here in Bangladesh, the Saudi Deputy Minister called for sending skilled workers in accordance to the changing labour market in his country, which prefers skilled hands.

"We can assist Bangladesh in developing skilled manpower, if necessary," he told reporters after the Saudi-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in the NEC conference room yesterday in the capital.

Welcoming skilled workers from Bangladesh, the Saudi Junior Minister said workers need to know the Saudi culture, social norms and values as well as the labour laws.

"Lack of knowledge about the rules and regulation creates problem," he said, adding that outbound workers should also ensure that they have legally proper appointment letter and they should know their job in Saudi Arabia.

Replying to a question, he said he would not bring sweeping charges against all the recruiting agencies that recruit workers to Saudi Arabia and allegedly cheat workers from Bangladesh.

He, however, suggested ensuring transparency of the local recruiting agencies.