Govt to launch skill verification programme, expand migrant welfare services

 The government has announced a set of measures in the proposed budget for fiscal year 2026-27 aimed at enhancing the skills of Bangladeshi workers, expanding overseas employment opportunities and strengthening protection and welfare services for expatriate workers.

Presenting the national budget in parliament today, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said a comprehensive skill verification programme would be introduced to build the confidence of foreign employers and ensure international quality standards in overseas recruitment.

Under the initiative, workers' skills, experience and certifications will be verified through a smart skill bank database. 

Verified workers will receive internationally recognised digital certificates, enabling foreign employers to directly recruit certified skilled workers from Bangladesh.

To strengthen technical and vocational education, the government will undertake projects from FY 2026-27 to modernise training equipment and expand training infrastructure.

The Finance minister said 7,500 local trainers and 1,000 foreign expert trainers would be engaged in government technical institutions, including polytechnic institutes, technical training centres (TTCs) and the Bangladesh Technical Education Board (BTEB).

In addition, 1,000 language instructors and native speakers will be recruited to promote foreign language proficiency among prospective migrant workers. 

A foreign language e-learning centre and a migration market research institute will also be established under the ministry of expatriates' welfare and overseas employment.

To ensure greater protection for Bangladeshi workers abroad, Bangladesh support centres will be set up at Bangladesh missions in major labour-receiving countries.

These centres will provide emergency assistance to distressed workers, including rescue services for those who are imprisoned, abused or deceived, legal support in disputes with employers, assistance in securing alternative employment and rehabilitation support for returnee migrants.

The government will also simplify the repatriation process for the mortal remains of Bangladeshi workers who die overseas to ensure their dignified return home.

The Finance minister said the country's migration management system has already been fully digitised through the overseas employment platform (OEP).

As part of efforts to develop a skilled workforce, the government has undertaken initiatives to strengthen the operations of the existing 110 TTCs across districts and upazilas and construct 50 new TTCs in another 50 upazilas.

Under the project titled "Providing Driving Training for Employment At Home and Abroad (1st Revised)", training is being imparted to 102,400 individuals to develop skilled drivers for employment opportunities in Europe, Japan and the Middle East.

The government will also continue providing migration loans of up to Tk 10 lakh on easy terms through Probashi Kallyan Bank for overseas-bound workers and expand the programme's coverage, he added.