Bangladeshi workers in Saudi Arabia are facing a predicament over the decision of the Saudi government to reserve 12 sectors exclusively for Saudi workers.
As a result, a little over 700,000 expatriate workers lost their jobs in Saudi Arabia in the last 15 months and, were forced to leave the desert kingdom.
According to statistics provided by the Saudi government, 466,000 workers went back to their respective countries in 2017 after losing employment.
As many as 234,200 migrant workers were forced to leave the country in the last three months.
Saudi social welfare ministry says that since several sectors will only employ locals, as many as 60,000 jobs will be created. The commerce and investment ministry puts this number at around half a million.
So, there’s confusion over the possible contraction of the labour market.
From Sept 12, 2018, motor cycle parts selling shops, garments, shoes, cosmetic and furniture selling shops, house-ware selling stores will only employ Saudi nationals.
Inspection by government has already begun though owners of shops say that following this rule will be difficult.
Local workers are hard to come by, they observed.
Meanwhile, several commercial activities that operated beyond the legal framework and included both Saudi nationals and expatriate Bangladeshis are closing.
Known as the ‘Tasatur’ system, this is a quick profit venture not permitted by law.
Showing a Saudi owner, many expatriates invested and owned businesses — a practice which is outlawed in Saudi Arabia.
Labour counsellor of the Bangladesh embassy Sarwar Alam told Bangla Tribune, “In the recent declaration to restrict certain sectors, Bangladeshis will face less pressure because Bangladeshis usually do not work among the 12 sectors mentioned.”
Many people are leaving because they are involved in clandestine business operations with a Saudi name used as a false front, he added.
Previously, Ambassador to Saudi ArabiaGoma Masih told Bangla Tribune, “Saudi Arabia has taken a decision to cut back foreign workers but we will try to ensure employment in new areas.”