Bangladesh urges Singapore to expand skilled worker recruitment.
Bangladesh has urged Singapore to expand its manpower market for Bangladeshi workers.
State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md. Nurul Hoque sought the support as Singapore’s Chargé d’Affaires Mitchel Lee in Dhaka made a courtesy call on him at Bangladesh Secretariat here today, a press release of the ministry said.
The release said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and focused on issues of mutual interest, particularly expansion of skilled workforce recruitment and strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
The state minister urged the Singapore government to increase the number of Singapore Overseas Testing Centres (OTCs) in Bangladesh from the current six to at least ten.
He also requested for recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in new sectors alongside existing ones, including food and beverage, nursing, caregiving, manufacturing, and hotel management.
The state minister proposed utilizing Technical Training Centres (TTCs) under the ministry to prepare workers for the specialized sectors.
He further requested that Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL), the government’s sole recruiting agency, be enlisted in Singapore to ensure transparent recruitment process.
Approximately 1.35 million Bangladeshi workers are currently employed in Singapore.
Bangladesh has proposed hiring graduates from Bangladesh’s six marine technology institutes for Singapore’s ports and requested an increase in the quota under the “sandbox” project.
In response, Mitchel Lee praised the skill and contribution of Bangladeshi workers and highlighted potential recruitment opportunities in upcoming projects at Changi Airport, Sentosa Island, and Paya Lebar Airbase.
She also expressed interest in doubling Singapore Airlines weekly flights on Dhaka–Singapore route from the current seven.
Additionally, she conveyed interest in investing in passenger data management systems at Bangladeshi airports.
Senior officials from both sides including Dhanya Lingesh, Second Secretary from the Singapore High Commission, Additional Secretary Mohammad Shaheen and Joint Secretary Shahidul Islam Chowdhury were present, among others.
