11 Aug (V7N) - State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam today said the government is working to bring down overseas migration costs to a maximum of Tk 300,000 to save 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 on migration.

The junior minister said migration costs currently range between Tk 1 million and Tk 1.4 million in many cases "due to syndicates and unscrupulous intermediaries."

She was speaking at the "Bangladesh Remittance Awards 2026" jointly organized by Bonik Barta newspaper and Singapore's Thakral Group to recognize expatriate Bangladeshis for their contribution through remittances.

Shama thanked expatriate workers, describing them as "pride and strength of Bangladesh," noting that their earnings continue to improve family livelihoods and strengthen the national economy.

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

Bangladesh received about $45 billion in remittance in FY 2024-25, of which $475.03 million came from Singapore, she said.

She said under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's leadership, the government is pursuing the "Bangladesh First" policy to create new investment and employment opportunities.

The state minister said a dedicated "Migration Wing" has been set up at the foreign ministry for the first time to serve migrant workers and ensure quick resolution of their problems. The wing works through a joint working group with the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.

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, respect host countries' laws and work culture, and use social media responsibly.

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

She thanked officials of Singapore's foreign and manpower ministries for their support in helping Bangladeshi workers affected by unpaid wages and job losses.

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

Such investment could help create jobs for the country's large youth population, she said.

At the event, fifteen outstanding Bangladeshi expatriate "remittance warriors" in Singapore were honoured, along with four organisations, two Commercially Important Persons (CIPs) and three leading exchange houses operating under Bangladesh-based banks in Singapore.

END/AJ/RH