Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury. File photo

SANGSAD BHABAN, July 14, 2026 (BSS) - Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury today said the government has decided to form an inter-ministerial committee to make services for Bangladeshi expatriates easier, better coordinated and free from harassment.

He made the announcement while responding to a call attention notice on matters of urgent public importance under Rule 71 raised by Independent MP from Brahmanbaria-2 Rumeen Farhana in the Jatiya Sangsad.

The minister said passport renewal, harassment at airports; visa-related issues and other services for expatriates involve several ministries and agencies. 

“The proposed committee, comprising representatives from the relevant ministries and organisations, will review existing problems in a coordinated manner and recommend necessary measures,” he said.

He said the present government is working in close coordination with all relevant ministries and agencies to ensure the welfare of Bangladeshi expatriates.

Ariful Haque Choudhury said if a Bangladeshi worker holding a BMET emigration clearance dies abroad, the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board ensures the prompt repatriation of the body, its receipt at the airport, handover to family members, burial assistance and financial support.

He said the expatriate welfare desks at the country’s three international airports provide an immediate cheque of TK 35,000 to cover transportation and burial expenses. In the fiscal year 2025-26, a total of TK 18.59 crore was distributed among the families of 5,312 deceased expatriate workers.

The minister also said the Wage Earners’ Welfare Board operates five ambulances to transport the bodies of deceased expatriates and sick returnee workers to their homes. 

Families of expatriates holding emigration clearance or board membership receive TK 300,000 within two months of the worker’s death, while sick returnee workers are eligible for medical assistance of up to TK 200,000.

He said the government is regularly monitoring 181 enlisted medical centres responsible for conducting health examinations of outgoing migrant workers. “Legal action is taken against any centre found guilty of charging excessive fees or committing irregularities.”

Replying to a supplementary question from Rumeen Farhana, the minister said the government has significantly curbed illegal and risky migration since assuming office and has taken various initiatives to send workers abroad through legal channels at lower costs.

He said a dedicated committee is monitoring the issue round the clock to facilitate low-cost overseas employment through legal channels, adding that the government’s objective is to ensure safe, orderly and affordable overseas employment for Bangladeshi workers.