Oman to hire 10000 Bangladeshi workers for farming and fishing
Oman has signed a new labour agreement to recruit 10,000 workers from Bangladesh, specifically allocating 5,000 positions for the agriculture sector and 5,000 for fisheries. This development was announced by Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, in Dhaka on September 14, 2026, as reported by the state news agency BSS and Muscat Daily. Omani officials are scheduled to travel to Bangladesh next month to finalize the implementation of the agreement with relevant ministries.
- Oman signs new agreement to bring 10,000 workers from Bangladesh
- 5,000 jobs allocated for agriculture and 5,000 for fisheries
- Omani officials visiting Dhaka next month to finalize details
Visa Policy Shift and Food Security Goals
This recruitment initiative marks a shift in policy, as Bangladesh had been subject to visa restrictions for certain worker categories in Oman since approximately October 2023, excluding family and GCC-resident visit visas. The move aligns with Oman's broader food-security objectives, where the agriculture and fisheries sectors currently contribute approximately OMR 1.13 billion to the national GDP. The industry currently supports more than 60,000 Omani fishermen and has achieved fish self-sufficiency levels exceeding 100%.
Government Jobs and Expat Impact
Simultaneously, the Omani Ministry of Labour reported the creation of 2,538 government-sector opportunities during the first half of 2026. This includes 999 slots designated for Omanisation and plans to replace 110 expatriate trainers at vocational colleges. While these developments do not signify immediate job losses for Indian, Pakistani, or other South Asian workers in construction or services, they indicate a strategic reopening of specific low-to-mid-skill pipelines in farming and fishing. Meanwhile, Oman continues to prioritize Omanisation in government roles, with IT positions remaining subject to existing restrictions.
Key Areas for Observation
Key areas for future observation include the potential impact of this quota on labor demand in regions such as Al Batinah, Dhofar, Sharqiyah, and coastal wilayats like Seeb and Sur. Additionally, stakeholders are awaiting details regarding contract terms, wage protection systems, and medical and insurance requirements to be established when Omani teams visit Dhaka in October.