Deal signed, UAE to recruit Bangladeshi domestic workers

Bangladesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the United Arab Emirates that will see the Gulf nation recruit Bangladeshi domestic workers.

Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment Secretary Nomita Halder and Saif Ahmed Al Suwaidi, Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, signed the MoU in Dubai on Wednesday.

Nasser bin Thani Al Hamli, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, was also present.

Al Hamli said the MoU emanates from the ministry's keenness to open new markets for families and business owners in the UAE.

UAE state news agency WAM reported the MoU sets regulations for recruiting domestic workers from Bangladesh, which is restricted only to franchisee applications for the brand name Tadbeer Service Centre, under a licence from the ministry.

It also stipulates that only registered and licenced private recruitment agencies in Bangladesh are allowed to submit lists of potential workers for the available vacancies.

According to the MoU, the report said, the employment contract for Bangladeshi workers should include job description, salary, other benefits, food, accommodation and transport, if needed.

The salary payment will be made under the Wages Protection System, WPS, it added.

According to the report, the domestic workers’ category includes professions of labourer, sailor, watchman, shepherded, hostler, falconer, housekeeper, cook, nanny, farmer, gardener, private trainer, private tutor, private burse, farm supervisor and private driver.