SANGSAD BHABAN, June 11, 2026 (BSS) - An allocation amounting to Taka 880 crore has been made for the Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry in the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year (FY).

Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury placed the national budget in the parliament today, allocating the amount which is Taka 51 crore less than the allocation in the revised budget in FY 2025-2026.

In his budget speech, he said the government is placing special emphasis on increasing overseas employment and ensuring the protection and welfare of expatriate Bangladeshi workers.

Paying tribute to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the finance minister said Bangladesh's first manpower export programme was initiated under his leadership, laying the foundation for the country's overseas employment sector.

To diversify labour markets and expand overseas employment opportunities, the government has undertaken various initiatives including facilitating overseas employment, providing easy-term loans to migrant workers, ensuring risk-free migration, and establishing good governance in migration management.

The finance minister also announced the introduction of a dedicated 'Probashi Card' to ensure the overall welfare of expatriate workers.

The card will contain workers' personal information, skills, and employment-related data and will be linked to a banking payment gateway to facilitate faster, easier and more secure remittance transfers.

Besides, the card will be integrated with expatriate welfare services, insurance coverage, banking facilities and emergency assistance mechanisms.

The government plans to begin phased distribution of the 'Probashi Card' among expatriate Bangladeshis from the 2026-27 fiscal year, he added.