Ban on skilled Bangladeshis lifted

Oman has lifted an eight-year restriction on hiring skilled workers from Bangladesh, according to an official at the Bangladesh embassy here.

"It is good news for skilled Bangladeshi workers as they can find jobs in Oman now," said Aneesur Rahman, Labour Attaché at the embassy, yesterday.

At present 115,000 Bangladeshis earn their livelihood in Oman and Rahman expects this figure to go up substantially.

The decision to lift the ban was conveyed by Juma Bin Ali Bin Juma, Oman's Minister of Manpower, when he received Mohammad Quamrul, Bangladesh State Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment.

Earlier, Oman allowed the hiring of workers from Bangla-desh only for agricultural and domestic jobs.