Task 2 – Ragib Ishrak Prithibi (ID 1821928)

Critically evaluate expatriation process in third world countries. Relate your findings with
expatriation in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is a growing South Asian country with considerable poverty in some places, despite
its stunning natural surroundings. Expatriates are usually placed in the capital Dhaka city or the
2nd largest city called Chittagong, will arrive in a place that is radically different from the
Western world. Expats may find the traffic congestion and loud noises of Bangladesh's
metropolitan areas to be an assault on their senses. High temperatures, humidity, and frequent
rain showers may be unfamiliar to you. On the bright side, the spicy food is praised for its bold
and delectable tastes, which appeal to both meat eaters and vegetarians, and attitudes toward
outsiders are generally warm and courteous.[ CITATION Edw17 \l 1033 ]

The largest cities in Bangladesh, Dhaka and Chittagong, are home to the majority of expatriates.
Most of them choose to live in locations that are isolated from the rest of the Bangladeshi
population, whether it's in compounds, flats, or other forms of housing. Rents for flats in the city
center are sometimes higher.[ CITATION Cig18 \l 1033 ]
Gulshan, Banani, and the wealthier Baridhara, a zone reserved for diplomats, are among Dhaka's
most popular neighborhoods. Payment of utility bills is possible through several banks' services.
When it comes to finding a place to live in Bangladesh, real estate brokers may be quite helpful.
A lease agreement's term is typically negotiable and has no set length.[ CITATION Cig18 \l 1033 ]
Unfortunately, efforts to simplify foreigners' employment opportunities in the country have
mostly failed. As per an investigation led at some point back by the Center of Excellence for
Bangladesh Apparel Industry named 'Work of Expatriates and its Alternatives in the RMG
Sector of Bangladesh' in a joint effort with the Faculty of Business Studies of Dhaka University,
around 500,000 outsiders are working in Bangladesh and only one-fifth of them are in the list
with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, Bangladesh EPZ(export processing
zone) Authority and NGO Affairs Bureau.[ CITATION Was20 \l 1033 ]
Expatriates may suffer a cultural shock as soon as they arrive in Bangladesh, Bangladesh is a
multi-racial melting pot. As a result, Bangladesh is culturally diverse. Bangladeshi culture is
affected by three major faiths in that order: Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, with Islam having
the most pervasive and long-lasting effect.
People traveling between cultures identify homesickness as one of the numerous symptoms of
culture shock, according to Zapf (1991), which is motivated by anxiety caused by the loss of all
our usual social signals and symbols (Oberg,1960)..
When considering the effects of homesickness as a sign of culture shock, it's important to
consider not only the psychological and behavioral consequences, but also the often strong
physical symptoms, such as loss of appetite, sleepiness, headaches, and fever. As a result,
medical and psychological research shows that homesickness manifests itself in a variety of
ways, including behavioral, cognitive, and physical manifestations.
Stomach pains, lack of sleep, an eating problem, headaches, and persistent fatigue are among
physical signs.

Bangladesh’s cultural index according to Hofstadter index[CITATION Pro19 \l 1033 ]

Due to this cultural imbalance expatriates may find themselves in a lot of problems in this
country, Alcohol is scarce and frowned upon in Bangladesh, which boasts the world's third-
largest Muslim population. It's primarily prevalent in tourist and expatriates, where it's offered in
more upscale foreign hotels, nightclubs, and restaurants. Purchasing alcohol outside of these
businesses is extremely difficult and expensive.
In Bangladesh, income tax is levied on a graduated system, with rates ranging from 0% to 30%
for tax residents. Non-resident expats will pay a fixed rate of 30% in taxes, with just the money
produced in Bangladesh being taxed. Permanent residents are required to pay taxes on both
domestic and overseas income. If you've been in the nation for 182 days or more, you're
considered a resident for tax reasons.[ CITATION Pet13 \l 1033 ]
The cost of living in Bangladesh will be exceptionally inexpensive for foreign citizens living and
working there. Everything is inexpensive, from lodging to food. When looking for foreign items
and brands, however, costs will rise. Supermarkets can be found in cities, although local markets
and street vendors sometimes have lower pricing. While foreign schools are one of an expat's
largest costs, transportation hardly makes a difference. This way expats can save a lot of money
by doing their operation in Bangladesh.[ CITATION Cig18 \l 1033 ]
98 percent of the population speaks Bengali, or Bangla, with others additionally speaking Urdu
or English. Expats may have a hard time conversing in the streets of Bangladesh, but most
Bangladeshis are foreigner friendly, they will try to communicate with you and help you in
whatever way possible.
As Bangladesh have a very high bureaucratic government it is very hard for any expatriates to
work properly here as they have to bribe the government or have to wait a long time or pay a lot
of fine to the government due to their corruptive nature, most foreign business are afraid to
establish business in Bangladesh is because of this.[ CITATION Pet13 \l 1033 ]

If the expiates want they can very effectively utilize the minimum wage system in Bangladesh
and its large number of unemployed labor. Bangladesh has a minimum wage of 8000 BDT per
month which is roughly only around 93$. This rate is very cheap in comparison with minimum
wage of other countries.
Expat women in Dhaka should be aware that certain individuals in Bangladesh would not
tolerate excessive skin exposure. According to one expat: "Last but not least, females should
dress conservatively. There are some people who believe that exposing too much flesh is
unacceptable. I must remark, though, that the country appears to be secular in general."[ CITATION
Jos \l 1033 ]

People in Bangladesh loves to be respected according to their age, thus their power distance is so
high, many expats will find it intimidating to communicate with Bangladeshi senior employee as
they might show negative attitude towards them.
Another problem that expats and foreigners faces is that there are too much beggars in Dhaka
city, this beggars target foreign people specially and try harass them for money [ CITATION
Pro19 \l 1033 ]. Foreigners are expected to be scammed more than its nationals.

Expatriates will find it very difficult in Bangladesh to relax, as it bans Nightclub and other sort of
recreational clubs for adults, even gambling is illegal in Bangladesh. Expatriates usually have to
go to some shady bar to get their drinks. Thus we see people are less interested in Bangladesh. It
will be very cheap if an expat brings their family in Bangladesh, they can hire maid at a very
cheap rate, and school is also very cheap in Bangladesh. There are a lot of international school
such as Turkish International School, Delhi Public school , International school Dhaka (ISD)
etc., so we can say the expats children won’t be lacking any sort of education.
REFERENCES
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/foreign-workers-database-1608309735

https://www.internations.org/bangladesh-expats

https://www.cignaglobal.com/country-guide/asia/bangladesh-country-guide

https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country/bangladesh/

https://www.expatexchange.com/ctryguide/4695/19/Bangladesh/Expats-Living-in-Dhaka,-
Bangladesh-5-Tips-For-Living-in-Dhaka,-Bangladesh