Oman has begun accepting visa applications to recruit agricultural workers from Bangladesh under an approved labour recruitment programme. The announcement was made by the Al Dhahirah branch of the Oman Agricultural Association, according to a Thursday report by Oman Daily Observer. Omani farmers are now permitted to apply for visas to hire Bangladeshi agricultural workers.

The recruitment process is being run on the basis of approvals issued by Oman’s Ministry of Labour and the Royal Oman Police. Registered farm owners will be able to obtain visas for Bangladeshi workers. Farmers seeking to hire them can submit applications at the association’s Al Murtafa office from August 9 to August 20. Applications containing any discrepancies will not be accepted.

Applicants must provide proof of annual fee payment, an agricultural holding certificate, a national identity card, a valid approval letter from the Ministry of Labour and other documents. An owner of a government service centre, Sanad, said approval has been granted to recruit 5,000 Bangladeshi workers in total. The facility is limited to registered agricultural association members, and each association may recruit no more than 330 workers.