Japan will begin recruiting workers from Bangladesh from April 1, 2027, under a Memorandum of Cooperation on Employment Skills Development (ESDP-MOC) signed between the two countries on October 17.

According to a press release, the secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh. Representatives of Japan’s ministries of justice, foreign affairs, and health, labour and welfare, along with the National Police Agency, signed on behalf of Japan.

The agreement will initially remain in force for five years and will automatically be extended for another five years upon expiry, bringing its total duration to 10 years, the release said.

Under the agreement, the two countries will strengthen cooperation in sending and receiving workers, ensure greater protection for Bangladeshi employees and expand opportunities for skills development through employment.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said the agreement would help ensure stronger protection for Bangladeshi workers while creating opportunities for skills development, higher wages and long-term residence in Japan.

He said Bangladeshi workers would receive legal protection equivalent to that afforded to Japanese workers, with equal workplace opportunities for men and women.

The agreement also provides safeguards against discrimination based on pregnancy or childbirth, particularly for female foreign workers. It contains no mandatory provision requiring workers to be repatriated, the release said.

Copies of the agreement will be formally exchanged during Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s upcoming visit to Japan, according to the ministry.

The ministry expressed hope that implementing the agreement would further strengthen friendly relations between Bangladesh and Japan and expand opportunities to develop Bangladesh’s skilled workforce.