Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan held a meeting with the officials of Saudi Takamol Holding in Riyadh yesterday. Photo: Ministry

DHAKA, Nov 14, 2024 (BSS)- Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Dr Neyamat Ullah Bhuiyan held a meeting with the officials of Saudi Takamol Holding at its head office in Riyadh yesterday.

Takamol Professional Recognition Programme’s Bangladesh manager Salem Almatrud and acting chief executive of Adel Alfuraidi were present at the meeting, according to a message received here today.

Dr Neamat Ullah Bhuiyan said the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) of Bangladesh and Takamol are working together to send skilled and trained workers to Saudi Arabia. 

The capacity of BMET has already been increased at the initiative of the ministry, he said, adding that currently, regular skill verification tests of 188 trades are being held at 27 centres approved by Takamol. Certificates are being issued to the successful candidates. 

The skill verification tests of 51,653 workers were held in the month of October, he said.

The Takamol acting chief executive highly appreciated the initiatives taken by the ministry to increase the capacity of BMET and said currently Takamol's skill verification certificate has been made mandatory for coming to Saudi Arabia on a work visa. 

Ninety percent of foreign workers are coming to Saudi Arabia with Takamol certificates and this rate will soon be increased to 100 percent, he said.

The senior secretary said most of the workers going to Saudi Arabia are financially weak. So it is difficult for them to pay US$ 50 as test fee and US$ 50 again if they do not pass the examination.
 
He requested the Takamol to waive the fees taken second time from unsuccessful candidates. The acting chief executive of Takamol assured of considering the matter sincerely.

Dr Neamat Ullah Bhuiyan expressed interest in increasing cooperation with Takamol in developing and provide training to the workers according to the needs and desired standards of the Saudi labour market.

The meeting discussed the re-skilling and up-skilling training of the existing Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia.

National Skill Development Authority Executive Chairman Dr Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury, Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Ltd (BOESL) Managing Director Saiful Islam, and Bangladesh Embassy Counselor Muhammad Reza-E-Rabbi were present.