Welcome to Business Outlook
Related Articles
The expatriate welfare and overseas employment ministry has framed a policy to recognise recruiting agents as commercially important persons (CIPs) for their contribution to overseas employment.
The ministry issued a gazette notification in this regard on August 25.
As per the policy, the government would annually recognise 20 recruiting agents as CIPs for two years in recognition of their significant contribution to the country’s economy through safe, regular, quality and responsible immigration activities.
Of them, three CIPs will be reserved for women entrepreneurs. Besides, the incumbent president and secretary of the Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Baira) will be selected as CIP ex-officio member.
For the selection of a recruiting agent as a CIP, their activities for the previous two years will be evaluated.
Ali Haider Chowdhury, former secretary general of Baira, said it was their long-standing demand.
“We are now feeling honoured. Now those who work in this sector will be encouraged. They will go for more ethical competition,” he said.
The last time the CIP status was given in this sector was in 2001, he added.
ELIGIBILITY FOR CIP STATUS
In the case of a proprietary organisation, the proprietor of the organisation will apply for CIP status and in the case of a limited company, the company chairman or managing director will apply following approval from the board of directors of said company.
The applicant recruiting agent must send a minimum of 2,000 employees, both male and female, in the relevant period and manage employment for them abroad.
At least 200 workers will have to be sent abroad through demand letters and a minimum of 300 expatriate workers will have to be trained by their respective agents.
Interested applicants can apply within the prescribed date mentioned in the advertisement directly or online.
The Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment will form two committees to select the CIPs.
BENEFITS OF THE STATUS
CIPs will get a government-approved identity card from the ministry, can enter the secretariat and be included as a member in the policy making committee of the ministry.
They will be invited to attend important national and international events, including Victory Day and Independence Day, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Martyr’s Day, International Mother Language Day, the birthday of the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, May Day, National Mourning Day, and International Migrants Day.
The CIPs will get priority in the reservation of seats in air, rail, road and watercraft transport and they will get cabin facilities at government hospitals for the treatment of their wife, son, daughter or themselves.
Besides, they will get the benefit of using VIP Lounge-2 and special handling at the airport.
However, the government can withdraw the benefits by issuing a gazette without any reason at any moment.
The selection procession will be completed between January 1 and October 15.
The CIP aspirants will be disqualified if the applicant’s recruiting agent’s licence has not been renewed or suspended and if they have any trade dispute with a foreign employer or if they are not interested in resolving the dispute.
Besides, if applicants have been convicted by the court and five years have not been passed after serving the sentence or if they are declared persona non grata for any reason, they will not be eligible for the CIP status.
(TDS)
