There is a tragic story I see too often.
A man works in Dubai for 15 years. He endures the heat, the long hours, and the separation from his family. Every month, he sends money home. When he finally retires and returns to his village in Comilla or Noakhali, he points proudly to a beautiful two-story building.
“That is my house,” he says.
But six months later, that same man is sitting in a tea stall, worried. His savings are gone. He has no monthly income. He is too old to do heavy labor, and his beautiful house requires money to maintain—electricity bills, repairs, painting—but it puts zero Taka back into his pocket.
He built a Liability, not an Asset.
At Sena Kalyan Overseas Employment Services (SKOESL), our mission is not just to help you earn money abroad; it is to help you keep it. We want you to return to Bangladesh not just as a homeowner, but as a financially independent man.
The Difference Between an Asset and a Liability
This is the first lesson we teach in our pre-departure briefings.
- A Liability is something that takes money out of your pocket. A big empty house in the village is a liability. A fancy motorbike is a liability.
- An Asset is something that puts money into your pocket. A shop that pays rent, a savings certificate that pays interest, or a piece of fertile land that produces crops—these are assets.
The mistake many Bangladeshi migrants make is pouring 100% of their sweat into concrete and bricks. You cannot eat bricks.
The SKOESL Strategy: The 50-30-20 Rule
We advise our workers to follow a disciplined financial plan. When you receive your salary in Riyadh or Kuala Lumpur, do not just send it all to your brother or wife with no instructions.
1. 50% for Family Support (Needs): Send this for food, school fees, and daily expenses. This keeps the family running.
2. 30% for Future Assets (Investments): This money should never be touched for daily expenses. It must go into a separate account. This is your “Freedom Fund.”
- Buy Sanchaypatra (Government Savings Certificates).
- Buy a small piece of commercial land.
- Invest in a “Probashi” (Expat) Bond.
3. 20% for Yourself (Emergency/Savings): Keep this in your foreign bank account. If you get sick, or if you lose your job, you need a safety net. Do not send every last Riyal home.
Don’t Build a Palace, Build a Business
The biggest trap is the “Social Status” competition. Your neighbor built a 3-story house, so you feel you must build a 4-story house.
Stop this competition. It destroys your future.
Instead of spending 50 Lakh Taka on a house that you only live in for a few years, spend 20 Lakh on a modest, comfortable home. Take the remaining 30 Lakh and:
- Buy a Shop: Rent it out. The monthly rent will feed you when you are old.
- Buy Agricultural Machinery: Buy a tractor or a harvester and rent it to farmers in your village.
- Start a Small Farm: Invest in cattle or fisheries that your family can manage while you are away.
The “Banking Channel” Advantage
Many people use “Hundi” because they think they get a better rate. This is foolish for two reasons:
- It is Illegal: You risk your money being seized.
- You Lose the Incentive: The Bangladesh Government gives a 2.5% cash incentive on remittance sent through legal banking channels.
If you send 1 Lakh Taka via bank, the government adds 2,500 Taka. Over 10 years, that free money adds up to huge amounts. That extra money alone can pay for your children’s education. Hundi gives you zero bonus.
Invest in the Ultimate Asset: Your Children
The greatest asset you can build is not land; it is your children’s education.
Don’t let your son drop out of school to ride a motorbike just because “Dad sends money.” Be strict. Use your earnings to send them to good schools, to English courses, to computer training.
If you return home to a son who is an engineer or a daughter who is a doctor, you have succeeded. They will take care of you. If you return home to a son who only knows how to spend your money, even a 10-story building cannot save you.
A Soldier’s Discipline
In the Army, we plan for the long term. We do not just fight for today; we secure tomorrow.
As a migrant worker, you are fighting a war against poverty. Win the war completely. Don’t just win the battle of “earning.” Win the battle of “saving.”
When you fly with SKOESL, we want you to have a safe flight. But more importantly, we want you to have a safe landing when you finally come home for good.
Build assets. Be smart. Secure your old age.