ছবি: সংগৃহিত
In a landmark development for Bangladesh's international labor migration, a comprehensive Memorandum of Cooperation on Employment Skills Development (ESDP-MoC) was officially signed between Bangladesh and Japan. Under the historic pact, Japan will formally begin recruiting skilled Bangladeshi personnel starting April 1, 2027.
The agreement was executed on Saturday (October 17, 2026). The Secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment signed on behalf of Bangladesh, while high-level officials representing Japan’s Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and National Police Agency signed on behalf of Tokyo.
According to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare, the deal comes after a year of rigorous bilateral negotiations. An official ceremonial exchange of the signed documents will take place during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming official state visit to Japan.
Tenure and Automatic Extension
The agreement carries an initial validity period of five years. Upon expiration, it contains a provision for an automatic five-year extension, bringing the total operational framework of the employment program to 10 years.
Rights, High Wages, and Protection for Female Workers
Detailing the core benefits of the treaty, Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, Ariful Haque Chowdhury, highlighted that the framework provides unprecedented statutory protections for Bangladeshi migrants, matching the labor rights enjoyed by native Japanese workers.
Key highlights of the agreement include
Equal Legal Standing & High Compensation: Bangladeshi workers will be entitled to competitive salary scales and options for long-term residency upon fulfilling technical benchmarks.
Gender Equality & Protection for Female Workers: The contract guarantees complete workplace gender equality. Crucially, strict protections have been instituted against termination or discriminatory practices stemming from pregnancy or childbirth.
No Forced Repatriation: The agreement explicitly bars forced repatriation or compulsory deportation of female employees due to pregnancy or maternity status.
Officials from both nations expressed confidence that the ESDP-MoC framework will solidify the long-standing diplomatic friendship between Dhaka and Tokyo while opening vast horizons for Bangladesh’s skilled human resources.
Sylhetview24/RiK
আইটি ল্যাব সলিউশন্স লি.