Bangladesh has just recorded a historic $35.5 billion in remittances in FY26. This is nothing short of an incredible achievement, one that has contributed to become a lifeline of our economy, built on the sweat and sacrifice of millions of expatriate workers.
Their earnings have over the years not just sustained families and stabilized foreign reserves but have contributed to the powerful story of keeping our nation’s growth story alive.
However, it is unfortunate that still, more often than not, their contribution is celebrated only in headlines but neglected where it matters most.
Behind every dollar sent home lies a story of hardship, of workers enduring long hours, unsafe conditions, and separation from loved ones.
Too many face exploitation abroad, while their families struggle with bureaucratic hurdles and inadequate support at home.
While the record inflow is cause for celebration and proof of their resilience, resilience should not be mistaken for acceptance of neglect.
Bangladesh must continue to look deeper into how its expat workers are treated and ensure that support goes beyond rhetoric.
Beyond the known steps to take, such as expanding welfare services for expatriates and negotiating stronger labour protections with host countries and providing legal aid for workers facing abuse, our nation, collectively, must learn to respect the contribution of this community.
Remittance is not charity but hard-earned income, and those who earn it deserve, beyond all of our respect, dignity and security.
The record inflow of remittance is a milestone, but it must simultaneously be a wake-up call. Our economy continues to rely heavily on the shoulders of our workers abroad. Supporting them therefore is a national responsibility.
