Saudi Arabia is currently the largest labor market in the Middle East. In the past five months, 71 percent of Bangladeshi migrant workers have gone to Saudi Arabia. Recently, the country has made it mandatory to obtain a professional skills certificate to get a work visa. Without this certificate, the Saudi embassy is no longer approving visas, creating complications in the process and driving up migration costs.
According to people involved in the migration sector, the certificate has now been made compulsory for all categories of workers, except domestic workers. Applicants must pay a fee of $50 to take the exam online. Even after taking the test twice, many are still failing to obtain the certificate. This is not only causing financial loss for the workers but also prolonging the entire process. As a result, the Saudi labor market could face major setbacks.
Back in 2023, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development of Saudi Arabia launched a Skills Verification Program aimed at recruiting skilled workers from Bangladesh. Those who participate in the program receive a certificate of professional competence. Until recently, workers were able to get visas without this certificate. But as of June 19, the Saudi embassy has stopped approving any visa applications that do not include the certificate. Initially, the skills certificate was mandatory for five sectors. Now, it is required for 33.
Before launching the Skills Verification Program in February 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Saudi-approved organization “Takamul” and the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). Under this agreement, workers must complete an online registration and successfully pass the exam to receive the certificate. A $50 registration fee is required. Candidates can take the exam multiple times, and the certificate remains valid for five years. It was initially announced that workers would not have to pay the registration fee, as Takamul would cover the $50 cost. However, it has since been revealed that migrant workers are now bearing the cost themselves. They must complete the online registration and pay the fee before appearing for the exam at Takamul-authorized test centers, usually held at Technical Training Centers (TTCs).
The exam has both theoretical and practical components. The theoretical portion is conducted online and assesses knowledge of workplace safety, industry rules, and basic job skills. The practical portion evaluates technical skills relevant to the job.
Engineer Md Golam Kabir, Principal of the Barisal Technical Training Center, told Bonik Barta, “TTC is only a test center. The designated theory test is held online here. Practical tests are held in another section. However, everything is assessed by Saudi Arabia’s agent through the Takamul website. They conduct the full evaluation. If someone fails or doesn’t receive the certificate, there’s nothing we can do from here.”
According to BMET, there are ongoing complaints that Bangladeshi workers are repeatedly being deceived in Saudi Arabia. Many do not get the jobs they were promised. Some even leave the country through agents without any training. With a professional skills certificate, not only is it easier to secure employment, but workers also have a chance to earn nearly double the salary.
Ali Haider Chowdhury, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), told Bonik Barta, “Right now, the Saudi labor market is open. The majority of workers are going there. But there hasn’t been a single visa issued in the past three weeks. Since Eid, the Saudi embassy suddenly stopped granting visas without a Takamul certificate. Even general laborers have now been brought under the certification requirement. They’re being asked to take computer-based tests. If someone fails the test, they must pay another $50 to retake it and obtain the certificate. From the results I’m seeing, many are failing. A cleaner or laborer is being asked to take a computer-based test. They’re not used to this. It will take time. If the government doesn’t step in, the Saudi labor market may suffer significant damage.”