In an effort to increase the inflow of remittance, skilled workers should be sent abroad as per the category of workers a country needs. Steps are being taken to boost remittance by sending workers abroad after providing training.
State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Shafiqur Rahman Chowdhury said these while speaking at an award ceremony of the debate competition organised at Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) in the capital's Tajgaon marking International Migrants Day-2023.
While speaking as the chief guest Shafiqur said, “Now our goal is to build a smart Bangladesh. Expatriates have always stood by the country as friends. The lion’s share of the country's foreign exchange comes in remittances from expatriates.”
“The government is serious about increasing the incentives on migrant workers' remittances from 2.5 per cent. The dignity of expatriate workers should be upheld ensuring their security at the airport. We will discuss this issue with the recruiting agencies very soon,” he added.
Debate for Democracy Chairman Hassan Ahamed Chowdhury Kiron said, "Almost 25 per cent of the working people of the country are employed overseas. The government should be more responsible for establishing the full rights of migrant workers.”
“It is necessary to increase the incentives on remittances from 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent. For low-income migrant workers, the incentives on remittances can be increased to 10 per cent. Hopefully, the newly appointed state minister for expatriates’ welfare will place the proposal for increasing incentives on remittances in the first session of parliament,” he added.
“Apparel exports may drop due to various reasons such as global and regional political tensions, and labour unrest. Export earnings from jute, leather and leather goods are not increasing.”
Among others, BOESL managing director Mallik Anwar Hossain, Government Bangla College Principal Md Jahangir Hossen, Primeasia University Pro-Vice Chancellor Suvamoy Datta, Sims Project-Helvetas Bangladesh Project Director Md Abul Basar and Debate for Democracy Director Abu Muhammad Rais also spoke on the occasion.
