Expats in EU demand hotlines, online passport services in every embassy

Expatriate Bangladeshis in Europe today (27 September) called on the government to ensure 24-hour hotlines and help desks in every embassy and to make all passport and documentation services fully available online, as part of a 15-point charter of demands.

At a press conference organised at the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF), Abu Syed Md Reaz placed the demands on behalf of Bangladeshi expatriates living in Europe, saying the community is seeking dignity and institutional support that match their contribution to the economy.

At a press conference organised at the Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) on 27 Sep. Photo: Courtesy

Bangladesh received a record $30 billion in remittances in FY2024-25, nearly 45% of the country's import bills and a key source of foreign currency reserves. 

"Remittances are the lifeline of our economy," Reaz told reporters. 

"Expatriates work hard abroad to keep the country running, but when they return home, they are subjected to neglect, harassment and bureaucratic complexities. This reality must change."

The group noted that migrant workers and non-resident Bangladeshis not only provide for their families but also fuel national growth, investment, education, healthcare and social development. Yet, when they face their own problems –  from passport renewal to property protection or even the repatriation of deceased family members – formal support remains scarce. 

Expatriates warned that unless the issues are addressed, maintaining economic stability will become increasingly difficult. 

They urged the interim government and policymakers to act "decisively and without delay," stressing that the 15 points they presented are not requests but legitimate rights.

The demands include providing at least 10 years of tax-free benefits on expatriate investments, ensuring speedy passport renewals and issuance of certificates overseas, covering full costs for repatriating deceased workers' bodies, eliminating political influence and middlemen from embassy services, setting up migrant service centres in every district, offering a minimum 5% government incentive on remittances, creating a special police unit to protect expatriate property, providing comprehensive health insurance for expatriate families, and ensuring fast-track immigration counters for NRBs at airports.

Other demands include introducing skill development programmes and easy-term loans for returning expatriates to help them reintegrate into the economy.