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The government is working to bring down the cost of overseas migration for Bangladeshi workers to a maximum of Tk 3 lakh, from the Tk 10 lakh to Tk 14 lakh many workers currently spend to secure jobs abroad, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said on Monday.
“Due to unscrupulous businesses and syndicates, many expatriates have to sell their land and other assets to spend Tk 10 lakh to Tk 14 lakh to go abroad. The government has started working to bring down the cost to a maximum of Tk 3 lakh,” she said.
The state minister was speaking as the chief guest at the Bangladesh Remittance Awards 2026 in Singapore, jointly organised by daily Bonik Barta and Singapore-based Thakral Group to recognise Bangladeshi expatriate workers and their contribution to the economy.
Shama Obaed said around 150,000 Bangladeshis are currently employed in key sectors in Singapore, making the country an important destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers.
Bangladesh received around $45 billion in remittances during the 2024-25 fiscal year, while Singapore contributed approximately $475.03 million, she said.
Focus on reducing migration costs
The state minister said excessive migration costs remain a major burden on Bangladeshi workers and their families, particularly those who have to borrow money or sell assets to finance their overseas employment.
She said the government was working to curb the influence of unscrupulous intermediaries and syndicates and make overseas recruitment more transparent and affordable.
The proposed Tk 3 lakh ceiling, she said, would help reduce the financial burden on prospective migrants and ensure that a greater share of their overseas earnings could benefit their families.
Shama Obaed said a dedicated Migration Wing has been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the first time to provide comprehensive services to migrant workers and ensure faster resolution of their problems.
The wing is working jointly with the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, she said.
Bangladesh and Singapore are also expanding cooperation in manpower and employment, with discussions under way on skills development, re-employment, intra-company transfers and ensuring fair working conditions for Bangladeshi workers.
The state minister said the government, under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership and guided by a “Bangladesh First” policy, was also working to attract new investment and create employment opportunities at home.
Call for responsible remittance and conduct
Addressing Bangladeshi expatriates in Singapore, Shama Obaed urged them to send their earnings through formal banking channels rather than hundi, comply with Singapore’s laws and workplace culture, and use social media responsibly.
She also called on expatriates to refrain from extremist or hate-driven campaigns, respect people of different languages and religions, and contribute to social harmony.
At the same time, she encouraged migrant workers to continuously upgrade their skills, particularly in emerging technologies, technical fields and foreign languages, to remain competitive in an evolving global labour market.
The event also recognised 15 outstanding Bangladeshi expatriates as “remittance warriors” for their contributions to the country’s economy.
Four organisations, two Commercially Important Persons (CIPs) and three leading exchange houses affiliated with Bangladesh-based banks in Singapore also received special recognition.
Shama Obaed handed over the awards and recognition crests to the recipients.
Representatives of government and financial institutions from Bangladesh and Singapore, officials of the Bangladesh High Commission and members of the Bangladeshi expatriate community attended the event.