NRB Solidarity

The 5th August 2024 Revolution in Bangladesh is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Bangladeshi people. It underscores the enduring struggle for democracy and justice and serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against oppression and injustice. One significant characteristic of this revolution, which differentiates it from the previous movements in 1952, 1969, 1971, and 1990, is the involvement of a large number of Bangladeshi expatriates globally. Being a long-term integral part of Bangladesh’s socio-economic fabric, expatriates played a crucial role in supporting and amplifying the revolution from abroad.

Many expatriates sent funds to support the protestors and various civil society organizations involved in the revolution. These funds were used to organize rallies, provide legal assistance to detained protestors, and support families affected by the fascist government’s crackdown. At the same time, a substantial number of Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) halted remittance transfers—a critical pillar of the national economy—as a direct protest against the Hasina government’s authoritarian & brutal policies/actions. This collective financial withdrawal drained foreign reserves, and played a decisive role in its downfall.
The main focus of expatriates was to raise international awareness about the situation in Bangladesh. Through social media campaigns, petitions, and lobbying efforts, they brought global attention to the human rights abuses and the demands of the protestors.

Expatriate communities organized demonstrations in major cities around the world, including New York, London, Atlanta, Dubai, Berlin, Paris, Sydney, to show solidarity with the revolutionaries in Bangladesh. Their efforts helped garner international support and put pressure on the Bangladeshi government to address the grievances of the people.
The expatriate community leveraged their access to international media to highlight the events unfolding in Bangladesh. They provided firsthand accounts, shared videos and photos, and gave interviews to major news outlets. This helped counter the fascist government’s narrative and ensured that the voices of the protestors were heard globally. The expatriates’ efforts in disseminating information played a crucial role in shaping public opinion and rallying support for the revolution.

These actions clearly indicate that expatriates will continue to play a significant role in Bangladesh’s political situation to uphold democracy. We, the “NRB-Solidarity (Probashi Samhati),” developed as a result of this revolution, are committed to organizing global Bangladeshi expatriates to restore democracy and contribute to the progress of the country.

NRB Solidarity (Probashi Samhati) is in the process of finalizing its registration in Atlanta, Georgia. We have obtained an Employer Identification Number (EIN) but have chosen not to publicize it until our state registration and nonprofit status are complete. Our main address is 525 Meadows Creek Dr, Alpharetta, GA 30005. We’ll share further details as the process progresses.

We focus on reducing all the costs associated with going abroad from Bangladesh. The travel-related costs for Bangladeshi travelers and workers are quite high. The airplane ticket costs, manpower commissions, and fees for Hajj are very high compared to our neighboring countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal. We demand a reduction in these costs and action against any corruption. Especially, our national airline is highly corrupt and needs significant changes.

Historically, foreign affairs services have not been expatriate-friendly across the world. Therefore, we immediately focus on improving consulate services, making passport-related jobs and other legal processes more efficient. We will also strongly focus on corruption-free and improved customer service in all Bangladeshi consulate offices worldwide.

Thus far, Bangladeshi expatriates do not have voting rights in national elections, although about 15 million expatriates live and work abroad. We will immediately focus on securing voting rights for all eligible Bangladeshi expatriates. We will strongly advocate for an easy and simple voting process for NRBs, eliminating bureaucratic complications like complex registration and voting procedures. Your voice deserves to be heard without unnecessary obstacles.

Currently, the total Bangladeshi diaspora in the world is about 20 million. It is possible to increase this number to 50 million. Bangladesh is one of the most highly populated countries in the world, with 200 million people living in an area of only 55,000 square miles. Therefore, migrating highly skilled workers can be highly beneficial to the country. We propose that the government establish a committee within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that will exclusively focus on finding global job opportunities through all government foreign missions.

Bangladeshi expatriates have a mixed career of blue-collar and white-collar jobs, with a high number of laborers in the Middle East. The Middle East, particularly countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait, has been a major destination for Bangladeshi laborers seeking employment. These countries offer a wide range of job opportunities in sectors such as construction, domestic work, hospitality, and manufacturing. The demand for labor in these industries has provided many Bangladeshis with the chance to earn a livelihood and support their families back home. Although the number is huge, due to a lack of skills, the remittance is not as high compared to the number. We believe that if the Bangladeshi government makes an effort, more skilled workers can migrate, significantly increasing remittances. Most professionals are in the US, UK, Canada, Europe, and Australia. By increasing cooperation among expatriates, it is possible to facilitate more migrations to foreign countries. We can take the Indian community as an example, as they have a tendency to help each other.

The exact number of Bangladeshi students studying abroad can vary year by year and depends on various factors such as the availability of data from different countries and educational institutions. However, it is estimated that tens of thousands of Bangladeshi students pursue higher education in countries around the world each year. Popular destinations for Bangladeshi students include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, and several European countries. These students often pursue degrees in fields such as engineering, medicine, business, and the sciences. UNESCO figures show that the number of students from Nepal traveling abroad to study has more than doubled from 44,255 in 2017 to 95,268 in 2022 (Ref: Inbound Insight: Nepal | Global Student Living). In 2023, 52,799 Bangladeshi students studied abroad, with the United States and the United Kingdom being the most popular destinations. According to available data, as of 2024, there are approximately 1.3 million Indian students studying abroad worldwide, with Canada being the leading destination for Indian students pursuing higher education overseas. It is possible to increase the number of Bangladeshi students studying abroad with government support, such as providing bank loans and support for entrance exams like ESL, and making the process easier. Therefore, our goals are:
a. To encourage the Bangladeshi government to create a local organization that will help students prepare for admission and contact universities worldwide.
b. To create a vast network among educators and academia.
c. To urge the Bangladeshi government to establish a banking system that will assist students in paying tuition fees globally.
Overall, the goal is to significantly increase the number of students studying abroad by 5 to 10 times within the next 10 years.

Commonly, abroad, the Bangladeshi diaspora involves themselves in several political programs tied to Bangladeshi parties like BNP or Awami League. Ironically, these are not only irrelevant to the local community but also illegal in most cases. Additionally, in most programs, the first-generation diaspora does not involve the next generation of foreign-born Bangladeshis. This is creating a huge gap that may cause our culture and history to be forgotten by the foreign-born new generation and will not create any connection with the local community and culture abroad. Therefore, we focus on creating awareness and taking initiatives to involve young people from the new generation in our cultural and other activities. Our experience on 5th August showed that this new generation is quite capable of doing things that the current generation could not imagine. The involvement of the new generation in all activities abroad will also bring a huge positive change in the nature of activities and will be able to create connections with local communities.

In recent years, we have seen how the Indian diaspora has become involved in local administrative, government, and private institutions through elections or other processes. In the last US election, nine Indian-born congressmen were elected. Additionally, there are many high-ranking government officials, such as the FBI chief, several company CEOs, and others. All these together have given India strong soft power globally. Being a neighboring country, India can serve as a good example for us. During the 5th August movement, we found that we did not have our own voice internationally. That’s why one of the biggest targets for the Bangladeshi diaspora was to contact senators and congressmen in countries like the US, Canada, and Australia to make statements about the crisis in Bangladesh, bringing it to global attention. Taking lessons from this, our goal is to have at least a few Bangladeshi-born parliamentarians in several countries in the next few decades. We want to create a strong network that will help and encourage all Bangladesh-connected, Bangladeshi-born diasporas to participate in local elections, whether for school committees, homeowners’ association committees, academic committees, state congressmen, or senators. We strongly believe that in the era of globalization, there is no other option but to create strong soft power internationally to survive in our geopolitical situation.

Bangladeshi expatriates hold immense potential to drive economic growth through entrepreneurship and innovation, benefiting both their host countries and Bangladesh. With exposure to global markets and diverse skills, NRBs can launch startups, create jobs, and elevate Bangladesh’s competitiveness on the world stage. For instance, the Indian diaspora has founded over 10% of Silicon Valley’s startups, contributing billions to the U.S. economy while fueling India’s tech boom—a model we can emulate. NRB-Solidarity aims to build networks for NRB entrepreneurs, provide mentorship, and connect them to funding opportunities. Imagine a future where Bangladeshi-led businesses thrive globally, sending ripples of prosperity back home. Join us to turn this vision into reality and unleash the entrepreneurial spirit of our diaspora!

The 5th August movement in Bangladesh revealed the power of collective action and the diaspora’s role in amplifying demands for democracy and human rights. NRBs, with their global networks, can strengthen democratic values by advocating for reforms, mobilizing grassroots efforts, and engaging international policymakers. From civic education workshops to lobbying senators abroad, every step counts—during the August crisis, NRB outreach spurred global attention to Bangladesh’s plight. NRB-Solidarity is committed to empowering the diaspora to drive systemic change at home and abroad. Be part of this historic push—your voice can help build a Bangladesh where justice and accountability reign. Stand with us to shape a democratic future!

NRBs bring expertise and resources that can transform Bangladesh’s development landscape in sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. With over 10 million Bangladeshis living abroad (UN estimates, 2020), their collective knowledge and remittances—$22 billion in 2023 (World Bank)—offer a lifeline for progress. Through policy advocacy and hands-on projects, such as diaspora-funded schools or clinics, NRBs can address urgent needs and influence national strategies. NRB-Solidarity will establish think tanks, partner with NGOs, and launch initiatives to maximize this impact. Your skills and passion can rebuild communities and reshape policies. Join us to create a stronger, more equitable Bangladesh for all!

Bangladesh faces dire climate threats—floods and rising seas endanger 20 million people by 2050 (World Bank)—and NRBs can lead the charge for resilience. By funding renewable energy, supporting adaptation projects, and advocating in global forums, the diaspora can secure vital resources and policies for Bangladesh. Their unique position bridges local needs with international action, amplifying efforts like the $100 billion climate finance pledge from COP meetings. NRB-Solidarity will mobilize NRBs to fight this crisis on all fronts. Be a champion for our homeland—your commitment can protect millions and inspire global change. Act now to safeguard Bangladesh’s future!