BSS – State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today said the government is working to reduce overseas migration costs to a maximum of Tk 300,000 to protect aspiring migrant workers from excessive recruitment fees.

“The initiative, taken after the government assumed office, aims to curb current migration expenses,” a foreign ministry statement quoted her as saying at an event related to migration.

The junior minister said in many cases currently the migration costs ranged between Tk 1 million and Tk 1.4 million “due to syndicates and unscrupulous intermediaries”.

The Bonik Barta newspaper and Singapore’s Thakral Group jointly staged the event titled “Bangladesh Remittance Awards 2026” recognising expatriate Bangladeshis for their contribution through remittances.

Shama expressed gratitude to expatriate workers calling them “pride and strength of Bangladesh” noting that their earnings continued to improve family livelihoods and strengthen the national economy.

She said around 150,000 Bangladeshis are currently employed in various sectors in Singapore alone.

Photo: MoFA
Photo: MoFA

Shama said Bangladesh received about US$45 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year, of which US$475.03 million came from Singapore.

She said under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman`s leadership, the government was pursuing the “Bangladesh First” policy to create new investment and employment opportunities.

The state minister said a dedicated “Migration Wing” was established off late at the foreign ministry for the first time to provide services to migrant workers and ensure quick resolution of their problems.

The wing operates through a joint working group with the Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry.

She said Bangladesh and Singapore are expanding cooperation in manpower and employment, with ongoing discussions on skills development, re-employment, inter-company transfers and fair working conditions.

Shama urged expatriates to send remittances through legal banking channels instead of hundi, pay respect host countries laws and work culture, and use social media responsibly.

She also advised them to avoid extremist or hate-based content, uphold communal harmony, and enhance their technical, technological and language skills.

She thanked Singaporean officials at the country’s foreign and manpower ministries for their support in assisting Bangladeshi workers affected by unpaid wages and job losses.

The junior minister said Bangladesh government was working to build a transparent, corruption-free and investment-friendly environment with one-stop services, urging expatriates to invest in Bangladesh rather than only send remittances.

She said such investment could help create jobs for the country’s large youth population.

Fifteen outstanding Bangladeshi expatriate “remittance warriors” in Singapore were honoured at the event which acknowledged with honour four organisations, two Commercially Important Persons CIPs and three leading exchange houses operating under Bangladesh-based banks in Singapore.