MoU expected as Mauritius agrees to reopen labour market for Bangladeshis

The island nation is interested to invest in the textile sector of Bangladesh, says its minister

The labour market for Bangladeshis, which was closed in Mauritius, is set to reopen as both countries have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the near future.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury and Mauritius’ Labour Minister Muhammad Reza Cassam Uteem reached the consensus on the sidelines of the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva on Monday morning.

The current situation of Bangladeshi workers in the southeast African island nation and the reopening of the labour market were among multiple bilateral issues on the agenda, says a media statement.

Highlighting Bangladesh's “skilled manpower capacity”, Ariful said: "In addition to the textile industry, the Bangladesh government is ready to send skilled manpower from Bangladesh to Mauritius, including doctors, engineers, nurses and accountants."

He invited the Mauritian minister to visit Bangladesh.

Cassam Uteem said: “The Mauritius government is very interested in hiring skilled manpower from Bangladesh. Especially for Mauritius' one-stop textile industry, there is a huge need for skilled workers.”

He assured Ariful of sending a draft of the MoU to the Bangladesh government soon.

Mauritius government, Cassam Uteem said, is interested in investing in Bangladesh's textile sector.