The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The number of Bangla-deshis cleared for overseas employment in 2008 exceeded 8,75,000 creating a new record.

A record amount of nearly US 9 billion has also been received as remittances in 2008.

Previous year (2007) witnessed the employment abroad of over 8,32,000 which was then a record too.

Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment expressed his deep satisfaction at this.

"It is my hope that the next government would continue with this effort, because the opportunities of new markets are vast", he said.

Iftekhar said "At all times, however, we must remember that the welfare of our workers must remain a priority. A migrant worker is not just a revenue generating machine. He is also a human being. Indeed, he is our pride."