The ministry would issue new licenses at the beginning of next week for companies wanting to recruit domestic workers, to promote competition in the market. (SPA)

The Ministry of Labor announced Monday that individual sponsors can now apply directly to their local labor offices for housemaid visas.

Previously only private recruitment offices were allowed to apply for visas through agencies in countries abroad. Agency to agency recruitment would still be allowed. The decision was taken to make procedures easier for citizens, the statement added.

The ministry also announced that it would issue new licenses at the beginning of next week for companies wanting to recruit domestic workers, to promote competition in the market.

Last month, the government started issuing work visas for Bangladeshi domestic workers. The Bangladesh missions in the Kingdom received 10,000 requests. The Kingdom lifted its ban on Bangladeshi workers starting April 1.

The requests were for drivers, housemaids and gardeners.

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