State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today announced that 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. She highlighted that current migration expenses often range between Tk 1 million and Tk 1.4 million due to syndicates and unscrupulous intermediaries. The announcement was made at the 'Bangladesh Remittance Awards 2026', an event jointly organised by Bonik Barta and Singapore’s Thakral Group.
Initiative to Curb High Costs
Shama stated that the initiative aims to curb the current high migration expenses, which have been a significant burden on aspiring migrant workers. She noted that the government is committed to creating a transparent, corruption-free, and investment-friendly environment to facilitate easier migration processes.
Recognition and Gratitude
At the event, fifteen outstanding Bangladeshi expatriate 'remittance warriors' in Singapore were honoured. Shama expressed gratitude to expatriate workers, calling them the 'pride and strength of Bangladesh'. She noted that their remittances continue to improve family livelihoods and strengthen the national economy.
Expanding Cooperation with Singapore
Shama mentioned that 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. She thanked Singaporean officials for their support in assisting Bangladeshi workers affected by unpaid wages and job losses.
Advice to Expatriates
The State Minister urged expatriates to send remittances through legal banking channels, respect host countries’ laws and work culture, and use social media responsibly. She advised them to avoid extremist or hate-based content, uphold communal harmony, and enhance their technical, technological, and language skills.
