A Thai delegation held talks with Bangladesh's Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury on Wednesday as the two countries explored a possible agreement to recruit Bangladeshi workers to Thailand.

The meeting, held at the ministry's conference room in Dhaka, was also attended by State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque.

A press release issued by the  Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment said. 

Chowdhury said Bangladesh and Thailand share a long-standing friendly relationship, and he described this year's 54th anniversary of diplomatic ties as a significant milestone. He welcomed Thailand's initiative to open employment opportunities for Bangladeshi citizens.

The minister called for an ethical and responsible recruitment system, saying employers should bear the initial cost of hiring, that standardised employment contracts should be issued in workers' local language, and that effective protections should be in place for fair wages, housing and medical insurance.

State Minister Haque said Thailand needs skilled manpower while Bangladesh has an abundant workforce, and urged the delegation to recruit skilled Bangladeshi workers through the state-run Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited (BOESL).

Ministry Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed said Bangladesh has suitable workers for both blue-collar and white-collar jobs in Thailand, adding that cultural and climatic similarities make Thailand a favourable destination for Bangladeshi workers. He stressed the need for a transparent recruitment process, lower migration costs and joint efforts to protect workers' rights.

Nitirat Suthinun, chairman of the Thai Senate's Standing Committee on Labour Affairs, said Thailand currently has recruitment agreements with four countries. He said labour shortages have emerged in the construction, halal food processing and agriculture sectors after Thailand suspended hiring Cambodian workers amid recent border tensions with Cambodia, prompting Thailand's interest in signing an agreement with Bangladesh as a fifth source country. He also raised concerns about workers overstaying visas, Thailand being used as a transit point to third countries, and the risk of human trafficking.

Chowdhury welcomed the Thai delegation's proposal and expressed hope that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries could be signed soon, once the concerns raised by Thailand are addressed.

The Thai delegation also included Chinnaworn Boonyakiat, vice-chairman of the Senate committee, and Dr Pirasith Kunlathareedpon, a member of the labour working committee. Additional Secretary Ahmadul Haque, Joint Secretary Debojit Singha, and other senior ministry officials attended from the Bangladesh side.