Bangladesh shuts recruitment agencies after Saudi abuse claims

Bangladeshi workers are currently facing a job crisis in Saudi Arabia. - Asia News Network

DHAKA: The Bangladesh govt said Tuesday (Dec 3) that it has shut down 166 recruiting agencies hiring people to work in Saudi Arabia after a spate of sexual abuse and torture allegations at the hands of employers in the Gulf kingdom.

Since 1991, some 300,000 Bangladeshi women have travelled to Saudi Arabia, according to the Dhaka government, mostly to work as household staff.