As Bangladesh celebrates a historic milestone -- crossing $30 billion in remittance for the first time in the previous fiscal year -- we must pause and pay tribute to the millions of Bangladeshi men and women working tirelessly across the globe.
It is their sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering commitment that have not only supported their families but have, unquestionably, become a fundamental pillar of our nation’s economy.
These remittance workers remain unsung heroes who, despite being far from home, continue to fuel our development. Their hard-earned money, driving a record 26.81% year-on-year growth in remittance inflows, has been a major reason why our foreign exchange reserves have risen to the highest level since October 2022, providing much-needed stability.
Yet, while we celebrate their contributions, the question that must be asked is this: What has the nation done for them? Too often, it is exploitation, lack of legal protection, and limited access to support services abroad that they face.
That we continue to fail our migrant workers is a shameful reality, but it does not have to be this way. It is imperative that we do everything possible to safeguard their rights and well-being, from strengthening diplomatic missions, ensuring legal aid, and providing comprehensive pre-departure training and support.
We also must ensure that we have the right policies in place in order to make sure that this upward trend in remittance is not a one-off. While the government’s efforts to clamp down on illegal money transfers and provide incentives to use formal and legal channels for money transfer have shown results, this should be just the beginning.
Our expat workers have earned the right to be respected and lauded for their contributions to this country. The best way to do so is by building a system that recognizes their sacrifices and pays them back with action that makes their lives easier.
