Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam announced that the government is actively working to reduce the costs associated with overseas migration to a maximum of Tk 300,000. This initiative aims to protect potential migrant workers from exorbitant recruitment fees.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the state minister emphasized that the initiative was launched after the current government took office, with a clear goal to curb the existing migration expenses. "Currently, migration costs often range from Tk 1 million to Tk 1.4 million due to syndicates and unscrupulous intermediaries," she stated during the "Bangladesh Remittance Awards 2026" event, organized by the Bonik Barta newspaper and Singapore's Thakral Group.
Shama Obaed Islam expressed her gratitude to expatriate workers, describing them as the "pride and strength of Bangladesh" and acknowledging their significant contributions to improving family livelihoods and bolstering the national economy. She noted that about 150,000 Bangladeshis are employed in Singapore across various sectors.
Additionally, she highlighted that Bangladesh received roughly US$45 billion in remittances during the 2024-25 fiscal year, with US$475.03 million originating from Singapore. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government is pursuing a "Bangladesh First" policy aimed at fostering new investment and employment opportunities.
The minister also announced the establishment of a dedicated "Migration Wing" within the foreign ministry for the first time. This wing is designed to provide services to migrant workers and ensure the swift resolution of their problems, operating through a joint working group with the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry.
Cooperation between Bangladesh and Singapore in manpower and employment is expanding, with ongoing discussions focused on skills development, re-employment, inter-company transfers, and fair working conditions. Shama urged expatriates to utilize legal banking channels for remittances, respect host countries' laws, and use social media responsibly.
She further advised expatriates to avoid extremist or hate-based content, uphold communal harmony, and enhance their technical, technological, and language skills. Additionally, she expressed gratitude to Singaporean officials for their support in assisting Bangladeshi workers facing issues such as unpaid wages and job losses.
The junior minister reiterated the government's commitment to building a transparent, corruption-free, and investment-friendly environment with one-stop services, encouraging expatriates to invest in Bangladesh beyond sending remittances. Such investments, she noted, could help create jobs for the country's large youth population.
During the event, fifteen outstanding Bangladeshi expatriate "remittance warriors" in Singapore were honored, along with four organizations, two Commercially Important Persons (CIPs), and three leading exchange houses operating under Bangladesh-based banks in Singapore.