Qatar to recruit Bangladeshi skilled workers in four categories

Qatar has expressed strong interest in recruiting skilled workers from Bangladesh in four sectors — electricians, plumbers, AC technicians and welding technicians — from five designated technical training centres across the country.

Visiting Qatari Labour Minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri made the remarks during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury at the ministry’s conference room in Dhaka on Monday.

Ariful Haque thanked the Qatari minister for visiting Bangladesh and highlighted the significant progress in bilateral relations over the decades. He also praised the initiatives taken by the Qatar government to ensure the welfare of Bangladeshi workers and address their problems in the Gulf country.

The minister expressed gratitude to the Amir of Qatar for arranging an air ambulance for the emergency treatment of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, describing the move as a remarkable humanitarian gesture.

Describing Qatar as a highly attractive labour market for Bangladeshi workers, Ariful Haque said more than 400,000 Bangladeshis are currently contributing to the country’s development through their skills, honesty and dedication.

He said 107,598 Bangladeshi workers went to Qatar in 2023 and expressed hope that the number would double this year.

The minister also urged Qatar to establish visa and medical centres in all eight divisional cities of Bangladesh to speed up visa processing and health examinations.

He noted that Bangladesh currently provides training in 55 trades through 110 Technical Training Centres (TTCs) under the ministry.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Hoque requested Qatar to recruit more skilled Bangladeshi professionals, including doctors, engineers, nurses, caregivers, imams, muezzins, khatibs and religious teachers.

Praising the efficiency of Bangladeshi workers, Al Marri said nearly 473,000 Bangladeshis are currently employed in Qatar, around 30 percent of whom are engaged in the development sector, while the rest work in various professions.

He reiterated Qatar’s interest in recruiting workers in the electrical, plumbing, air-conditioning and welding sectors from five selected Bangladeshi technical institutes.

The Qatari labour minister also said two special training centres have already been established in Qatar to further enhance workers’ skills.

Responding to Bangladesh’s request for additional visa centres in divisional cities, Al Marri assured that he would personally discuss the matter with Qatar’s interior minister to help implement the proposal.

Among others present at the meeting were Qatar’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Seyara Ali Mahdi Saeed Al Qahtani, Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Mokhtar Ahmed, Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Md Shakilur Islam Khan and senior officials from both countries.