Expat Welfare Ministry's development budget cut by 16% in proposed FY27

Dhaka: The government has proposed a reduced development budget for the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment in FY2026-27, even as it unveiled plans to introduce a digital "Probashi Card" to improve welfare services and streamline support for Bangladeshi migrant workers.

According to the proposed budget, the ministry's development allocation has been cut by more than BDT 79 crore, representing an approximately 16% decline from the revised development budget of the current fiscal year. However, the operating budget has increased by more than BDT 28 crore.

In total, the ministry is set to receive around BDT 880 crore in the upcoming fiscal year—about BDT 51 crore less than the revised allocation for FY2025-26.

Presenting the national budget, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury highlighted the country's record monthly remittance inflow of USD 3.75 billion in March, calling it the highest ever achieved in a single month.

"Our government recorded a monthly remittance of USD 3.75 billion in the month immediately after assuming office, the highest in Bangladesh's history. This demonstrates the confidence expatriate Bangladeshis have in the democratic government, and we expect the momentum to continue," he said.

The minister also announced that the government would maintain the 2.5% cash incentive for remittances sent through legal channels in an effort to encourage continued inflows.

He said initiatives are underway to reopen overseas labor markets that had remained closed, including Malaysia, while negotiations are progressing to secure access to new destinations for Bangladeshi workers.

As part of the government's digitalization efforts, the proposed Probashi Card will provide migrant workers with easier access to welfare services, insurance facilities, banking services, and emergency assistance. Distribution of the card is expected to begin in phases from FY2026-27.