BAIRA and the Bangladesh Recruiting Agency System: How Licensed Manpower Agencies Work

What is BAIRA?

The Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) is the apex trade body representing all licensed recruiting agencies in Bangladesh that are authorized to send workers abroad for employment. Founded in 1984 and headquartered at BAIRA Bhaban, 130 New Eskaton Road, Dhaka, BAIRA is one of the largest trade associations in Bangladesh and is affiliated with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

As of 2026, BAIRA has over 2,843 member agencies, each holding a valid Recruiting License (RL) number issued by the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET). BAIRA serves as the self-regulatory body for the recruiting agency industry, setting standards, facilitating dispute resolution, and representing the industry in policy discussions with the government.

The RL Licensing System

Every recruiting agency in Bangladesh must hold a valid Recruiting License (RL) issued by BMET. The RL number is a sequential identifier — for example, RL-1 was the first agency licensed, and the most recently licensed agencies have RL numbers in the 2900s. The RL number is the primary verification mechanism for agency legitimacy.

How to Verify an Agency's RL License

1. Check the BAIRA member directory at www.baira.org.bd — search by agency name or RL number
2. Verify on the BMET website at www.bmet.gov.bd — BMET maintains a list of all licensed agencies with current license status
3. Check the RL number format — valid RL numbers are sequential integers (e.g., RL-41, RL-759, RL-1857). Any agency claiming an RL number not found on the BAIRA or BMET websites is not legitimate
4. Verify the agency's physical office — all BAIRA members have registered offices in Bangladesh, typically in Dhaka (Motijheel, Fakirapool, New Eskaton, Bangshal, or Purana Paltan areas)

How Recruiting Agencies Operate

The Recruitment Cycle

A licensed recruiting agency typically operates through the following cycle:

1. Demand letter receipt — The agency receives a demand letter from a foreign employer or its local representative, specifying the number and category of workers needed, salary, benefits, and other terms.
2. Document attestation — The demand letter and power of attorney are attested by the destination country's chamber of commerce and the Bangladesh embassy in that country.
3. Candidate sourcing — The agency sources candidates through its network, including direct recruitment, referrals, job advertisements, and BMET's online job portal. Many agencies maintain databases of pre-screened candidates by trade.
4. Screening and shortlisting — Candidates are screened for qualifications, experience, medical fitness, and police clearance. Shortlisted candidates are presented to the employer for interview.
5. Employer interview — Interviews may be conducted in person (when the employer or representative visits Bangladesh), by video call, or by phone. Some employers delegate interview authority to the agency.
6. Selection and contract signing — Selected candidates sign employment contracts specifying salary, working hours, leave, accommodation, and other terms. Contracts must comply with both Bangladesh and destination country labor laws.
7. BMET clearance — The agency processes the selected workers through BMET for clearance, including:
   • Passport verification
   • Medical examination (from approved medical centers — GAMCA for Gulf countries)
   • Police clearance certificate
   • BMET smart card registration
   • Pre-departure orientation training
8. Visa stamping — The agency processes visa stamping at the destination country's embassy in Dhaka.
9. Travel arrangement — The agency arranges flight tickets and airport departure processing.
10. Post-deployment follow-up — Reputable agencies maintain contact with deployed workers and assist with any issues that arise in the destination country.

Agency Fee Structure

Under ILO ethical recruitment principles, recruitment fees should be paid by the employer, not the worker. However, in practice, some Bangladeshi workers still pay fees to agencies — a practice the government is actively working to eliminate. The legal framework specifies that:

• The employer pays the recruiting agency's service fee
• Workers should not pay any recruitment fee
• Workers may bear only the cost of their passport, medical examination, and plane ticket (in some cases)
• Any fee charged to a worker must be receipted and within government-specified limits

International employers should explicitly state in their service agreement with the agency that all recruitment costs are borne by the employer, in accordance with ILO Convention 181 (Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997) and the ILO General Principles and Operational Guidelines for Fair Recruitment.

BAIRA Member Directory

BAIRA maintains a comprehensive member directory on its website at www.baira.org.bd. Each member profile includes:

• Agency name — the registered legal name of the recruiting agency
• RL number — the unique Recruiting License number (e.g., RL-41)
• Representative name — the managing director or authorized representative
• Representative photograph — a photo of the agency's representative
• Office address — the registered office address in Bangladesh
• Phone numbers — landline and mobile numbers
• Email address — contact email (where available)

The directory is searchable and sortable by RL number or agency name. International employers can use this directory to:

• Verify that an agency is legitimately licensed
• Find agencies that specialize in specific worker categories
• Contact agencies directly with job demands
• Check the representative's identity through the photograph

How International Employers Can Engage BAIRA Members

1. Search the BAIRA directory — visit www.baira.org.bd and search for agencies by name or RL number. You can also browse verified recruiting agencies on BangladeshExport.com's Human Resources category.
2. Contact multiple agencies — reach out to 3-5 agencies to compare services, experience, and fees. Ask for references from previous employer clients.
3. Verify agency credentials — cross-check the RL number on the BMET website and ask for copies of the agency's trade license, BMET license, and BAIRA membership certificate.
4. Visit the agency in person — if possible, visit the agency's office in Dhaka to assess their infrastructure, staff, and candidate database. Many agencies arrange employer interviews at their offices.
5. Sign a written service agreement — the agreement should specify: worker requirements, recruitment timeline, fee structure (paid by employer), warranty/replacement terms, and dispute resolution mechanism.
6. Monitor the recruitment process — stay in regular communication with the agency, review candidate profiles, and participate in interviews. Ensure that no illegal fees are being charged to workers.

Government Support Institutions

In addition to BAIRA, the following government institutions support the manpower export ecosystem:

BMET (Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training)

BMET is the primary regulatory body, responsible for licensing agencies, clearing workers, and maintaining overseas employment statistics. BMET operates the Overseas Employment Platform (OEP-BMET) for digital processing of worker clearances.

Website: www.bmet.gov.bd

BOESL (Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Limited)

BOESL is the government-owned recruiting agency, specializing in government-to-government labor arrangements such as the South Korea EPS program. BOESL operates under the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.

Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment

The ministry is the apex government body overseeing all overseas employment matters, including policy formulation, bilateral labor agreements, and welfare of migrant workers.

Website: www.moeowe.gov.bd

Wage Earners' Welfare Board

The Welfare Board provides support services to migrant workers and their families, including financial assistance, repatriation support, and skill development. It also operates welfare desks at international airports in Bangladesh.

Probashi Kallyan Bank (Expatriates' Welfare Bank)

A specialized government bank providing low-interest loans to prospective overseas workers for migration costs, as well as remittance services for existing migrant workers.

Key Statistics (2025)

Sources

• BAIRA — www.baira.org.bd — Member directory and association information
• BMET — www.bmet.gov.bd — Licensing data and overseas employment statistics
• Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment — www.moeowe.gov.bd
• Bangladesh Bank — www.bb.org.bd — Remittance statistics
• ILO — www.ilo.org — Ethical recruitment guidelines and Convention 181
• IOM Bangladesh — bangladesh.iom.int — Migration data and policy research

Related Resources on BangladeshExport.com

• Browse Human Resources & Manpower Suppliers — Licensed recruiting agencies and manpower suppliers
• BAIRA — Association Profile
• Bangladesh Manpower Export: Complete Guide for International Employers
• All Publications