Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world-and growing. The current population of Bangladesh is projected to reach 230-250 million by 2050, even if replacement fertility is reached today. It is estimated that over five million Bangladeshis are currently working overseas, contributing greatly to their families, communities and the country’s economy through remittances. Bangladesh Probashi Kallyan Foundation (BPKF) a Non-resident Bangladeshi NRB (Probashi) community organization which is intending to look forward to strengthen our partnership with the member of our Non-resident Bangladeshi NRB (Probashi) community and serving them who are facing serious problems in their life domestically & abroad. The growth in migration from Bangladesh and the increasing levels of remittances and consequent benefits to the society and the country are not without its challenges. In order to address some of these challenges, BPKF is planning to operate the needs of migrants to be enhanced. Additionally, trafficking of men, women and children for labour exploitation, remains a grave concern in the country and the region. In order to combat trafficking, the capacity of relevant authorities in Bangladesh and relevant destination countries is being strengthened. Furthermore, awareness raising activities on safe migration are being conducted. Innovative ventures building on principles of Corporate Social Responsibility and Private Public Partnership have been initiated for economic empowerment and reintegrating victims of trafficking.
BPKF will promote teamwork by taking the views of others into account. It will take a genuine interest in those who we work with, offering support, guidance and encouragement when it is needed. However, our assistance will be available to those who need to speak to us, listening carefully to what is said to us and making sure that those we work with are kept up to date and understand what is going on. So that, we imbue our actions with meaningful and balanced rhythm way which is the essence of a life lived with grace. If we bring the appropriate people together in constructive ways with good information, they will generate authentic visions and strategies for addressing the shared concerns of the organization or community. So our appeal to all beloved Non Residents Bangladeshi’s NRB (Probashi) to get together under the umbrella of BPKF. Because this is the time to unite ourselves within the globe in this digital world to achieve success of Bangladesh Probashi Kallyan Foundation (BPKF).
A BRIEF HISTORY OF NRB
Basically, the Non-resident Bangladeshi NRB (Probashi) is social organization to meet these challenges with dynamism of its own; everyday there are new developments in the field of migrants’ rights and thus our organization is constantly evolving. It can be formed in many different ways. There are thousands of Bangladeshi are going abroad in several purposes. Some of them are going abroad for higher studies through availing scholarship or self-financing. After completing study some of them returned home and contributed in national economy. A large number of Bangladeshi is going abroad with official work permit for various duration. At the same time a big number of them of the official workforce abroad work there as un-skilled and semi-skilled labours. A limited number of people work abroad as skilled professionals. Due to various reasons, a portion of Bangladeshi citizens are living aboard still illegally and are trying to get legal status. It is very difficult to obtain total number of expatriates from official statistics. However, adding figures of manpower export from Ministry of Labour and Employment, estimates of the expatriates communities and other sources the total count of Non-resident Bangladeshi NRB ( Probashi )s is now more than 9/10 millions.
When about few millions skilled and unskilled Bangladeshi migrants are working in more than 108 countries starting from Middle East to the Far East and also Europe to North America. Wage earners contribute almost 15/20% in our gross domestic product (G.D.P) through sending hard earned remittance to Bangladesh. The terminology Non-Resident Bangladeshi (NRB) emerged in the background of understanding the growing role of Bangladeshi living abroad in maintaining stability of balance of payments (BOP) through the remittance of a portion of their earnings in foreign currency. Legally, any Bangladeshi citizen living abroad for more than one year is categorized as non-Resident Bangladeshi. Once a Bangladeshi citizen disowns Bangladeshi passport and takes foreign citizenship is not considered as Non-resident Bangladeshi NRB. However, the Bangladeshi origin people having dual citizenship are also included in the Non-resident Bangladeshi NRB category. Recently, a process of rethinking about the role of Non-resident Bangladeshi NRBs has been observed both in Bangladesh and in the expatriate community of Bangladeshi’s abroad. The focus of the discourse about the role of Non-resident Bangladeshi NRBs will continue to contribute in the process of ‘brain gain’ leading towards building the R&D capacity and growth of export oriented industry and infrastructure development.