Dhaka: With concerted efforts from various stakeholders, notably the current government, Bangladesh successfully sent 10,58,531 workers abroad, generating a substantial $11.13 billion in remittances from July to November. According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, an official from the Bangladesh Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) reported that the trend in overseas employment remains positive, with 10,58,531 job seekers securing employment abroad between July 1 and November 30. Of these, 9,80,213 were male and 78,318 were female workers. Bangladesh Bank's latest data highlights a 14 percent year-on-year increase in remittances sent by expatriate Bangladeshis, totaling $2.2 billion in November. For the July-November period, remittance earnings reached $11.13 billion, a notable rise from $8.80 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year. This signifies a 26.4 percent increase in the remittances sent home by Bangladeshi nationals during the first five months of this fiscal year compar ed to the previous one. Deputy Director (ongoing charge) of BMET, Mohammad Jahirul Alam Majumder, noted that the inflow of remittances has seen a tremendous increase, driven by the rising income of expatriates over the last nine months. He emphasized that this year has witnessed a record remittance inflow, with $2.2 billion received in November and $2.4 billion in September 2024. Experts attribute this surge in remittances to expatriates sending money saved from their regular expenses back home. The BMET officer underscored ongoing efforts to not only increase the number of overseas migrant workers but also to safeguard their rights and protection. The World Bank's Migration and Development Brief, released in June, provides updates on migration and remittance flows, underscoring the importance of developing need-based skilled manpower, such as nurses and healthcare workers, whose demand is expected to grow globally. In response, the government has established numerous training centers across districts alo ngside skill development programs to create a skilled workforce. These initiatives include training in shipbuilding engineering, refrigeration and air-conditioning, general mechanics, and several languages, among others. The government has declared the overseas employment sector a "thrust sector," focusing on expanding job markets for Bangladeshi job seekers abroad. Documented overseas employment is encouraged as a vital component of earning foreign currency.
