Human Capital & EPS (Employment Permit System)

This diagnostic report from BIG (Bangladesh Investment Gateway) highlights a significant crisis in the Employment Permit System (EPS) labor migration funnel between Bangladesh and Korea, showing a dramatic 97% applicant drop-off rate. Despite a growing demand for workers in Korea with expanded quotas to over 11,000 positions Bangladesh only sends about 4,800 workers annually, a significant underperformance compared to regional competitors. Key bottlenecks identified are a low Korean language test pass rate (42% vs. Vietnam's 68%), a lengthy processing time of 365 days, and inefficient job matching.

The presentation proposes a strategic intervention with an investment of $34.3 million to implement high-impact reforms. These include accelerated language training, a digital job matching platform, and streamlined documentation through a one-stop center. The expected outcomes are a 30-50% increase in the placement rate, a reduction in processing time to 250 days, and an increase of over 8,000 workers dispatched annually. This is projected to generate over $125 million in additional annual remittances and a 5.5x return on investment.

The plan aims to position Bangladesh as a top-tier partner in Korea's labor migration program by improving worker skills, enhancing welfare, and maximizing economic benefits.


Bangladesh Investment Gateway (BIG)
www.bigbd.org

1. BIG
 www.bigbd.org
Human Capital & EPS
End-to-End Diagnostic & Pipeline Optimization
97%
Applicant Drop-off
4,800
Workers Sent Annually
$125M+
Potential Remittance Increase
Rashedur Rahman- Associate Professor, University of Dhaka
Ehsan Tanim- CEO, Finager Fintech
Dhaka, September 2025

2. Executive Summary
BIGwww.bigbd.org
97%
Applicant drop-off rate
Key Bottlenecks
Language Test
42%
vs Vietnam's 68%
Job Matching
35%
vs regional 55%
Opportunity
Korea expanded quotas to 11,000+ positions
Bangladesh only sends 4,800 workers annually
Significant underperformance vs regional competitors
High-Impact Reforms
Accelerated Language Training Digital Job Matching
Streamlined Documentation Enhanced Skills Certification
Expected Outcomes
$34.3M
Total Investment
30-50%
Placement Rate Increase
$125M+
Additional Annual Remittances

3. EPS Funnel Diagnostics: The 97% Failure Rate Crisis
BIGwww.bigbd.org
Language Barrier
Pass Rate:42% (vs Vietnam's 68%)
Test Centers:Limited capacity & infrastructure
Preparation:180-day average time
Documentation & Skills
Medical Exam:21-day process (target: 7 days)
Certification:Informal workers lack credentials
BOESL Success:Only 23% shortlisted
Job Matching Crisis
HRDK Matching: 45% success rate
Employer Selection:35% final selection rate
Regional Bias: Employers prefer specific regions
97%
Applicant Drop-off Rate

4. Competitive Performance Gap Analysis
BIGwww.bigbd.org
Bangladesh Vietnam Thailand

6x
Vietnam sends 6x more workers

365 days
Bangladesh processing time

7.2/10
Employer satisfaction rating
%
78%
Contract completion rate
Root Cause Analysis

Inadequate Language Training: Limited institutes, poor
curriculum

Skills Certification Gaps: Informal sector dominance

Inefficient Matching: Manual processes, poor interface

Limited Employer Engagement: Insufficient outreach
Key Performance Indicators

Workers Sent: Bangladesh 4,800 vs Vietnam 28,500

TOPIK Pass Rate: Bangladesh 42% vs Vietnam 68%

Job Matching: Bangladesh 35% vs Vietnam 55%

Contract Completion: Bangladesh 78% vs Vietnam 89%

5. Sector-Specific Skills & Demand Analysis
BIGwww.bigbd.org

Manufacturing
Tier 1: High Readiness
TOPIK 1 (80+) $1,725/mo
Basic assembly Large workforce
7,500
Quota Size

Construction
Tier 2: Medium Readiness
TOPIK 1 required $1,875-$2,025/mo
Needs certificationFirst-time opening
1,095
Quota Size

Fisheries
Tier 3: Specialized Skills
TOPIK 2 for offshore $1,800-$2,100/mo
Ethnic minorities focusLimited tech experience
1,877
Quota Size

Shipbuilding
Emerging: High Potential
TOPIK 2 (140+) $2,400/mo premium
Advanced welding needed Tech transfer potential
Limited
Current Quota

6. Critical Process Improvements & ROI Analysis
BIGwww.bigbd.org
Critical Priority (40-45% placement lift)
Language Training System
Current: 180-day Target: 120-day
%Pass: 42% → 65% $Investment: $12M
ROI: 4.0x
Employer Interface Digital
Current: 120-daySolution: Real-time
%Placement: +45% ROI: 8.8x
Very High Priority (25-35% placement lift)
Job Matching Platform
AI-powered matching Timeline: 90 → 30 days
%Success: 45% → 65% $Investment: $3.5M
Skills Certification Fast-Track
Current: 60-daySolution: Competency-based
%Placement: +30% Better employer confidence
Monthly Processing Calendar
Peak Season (Sep-Nov)

1,150 departures in Nov

Staggered processing

Charter flights
Off-Season (Dec-Feb)

Language training

Employer relations

Smooth fluctuations

7. Fast-Track Process Design & SLA Framework
BIGwww.bigbd.org
Streamlined Documentation Pipeline

Medical Examination Acceleration
Current:21 days average, limited clinics
Target: 7 days through expanded network, digital results
Investment:$2.5M clinic accreditation, equipment upgrade
Benefits:15% placement lift, reduced dropout rates
21 days 7 days

Police Verification Digital System
Current:45 days manual verification process
Solution:Online verification, biometric systems
Target:15 days average clearance time
ROI: 8.4x

One-Stop Documentation Center
Concept:Single facility for all documentation needs
Services:Medical exams, police clearance, notarization, skills assessment
Timeline:30-day complete processing vs current 180+ days
Employer Development & Retention Strategy
Korean SME Engagement Program
Employer fairs & workplace visits Target: 50+ Korean SMEs annually
Reduced employer selectivity bias Improved job matching rates
Pre-Hire Assessment Framework
Sector-specific competency tests Workplace-relevant Korean
communication
Cultural orientation & expectations80%+ employer satisfaction target
Welfare & Retention Enhancement
14-day intensive pre-departure
orientation
Mobile apps & helpline systems
Housing standards monitoring Ongoing skills development
30-day
Complete processing timeline vs current 180+ days

8. Success Metrics & Performance Targets
BIGwww.bigbd.org
Placement Conversion
%Overall Success Rate
3.2%
Current
→
8-10%
Target
150-200% improvement
TOPIK Pass Rate
42%
Current
→
60%
Target
Regional average alignment
Job Matching Success
35%
Current
→
55%
Target
Vietnam parity target
Processing Time
365
Days (Current)
→
250
Days (Target)
30% reduction
Quality & Satisfaction
Average Wages
$1,850
Monthly (Current)
→
$2,000+
Monthly (Target)
Skill premium capture
Remittance per Worker
$12,500
Annual (Current)
→
$15,000
Annual (Target)
20% increase
Contract Completion
78%
Current
→
85%
Target
Reduced dropout rates
System Efficiency
Annual Worker Dispatch
4,800
Current
→
8,000+
Target
67% increase
Sector Diversification
More balanced distribution
Regional Distribution
Dhaka-centric
Current
→
Nationwide
Target
Broader talent sourcing
Return Worker Integration
400+
Returnees in capacity building

9. ROI & Economic Impact Projection
BIGwww.bigbd.org
Investment vs Returns
$34.3M
Total Investment
$188.6M
Annual Benefits
$125M+
Additional Remittances
8,000+
Additional Placements
5.5x Return on Investment
Conclusion
EPS transformation represents Bangladesh's most
significant opportunity to systematically upgrade human
capital export capabilities
Success requires coordinated action across language
training, digital systems, employer engagement, and
welfare infrastructure
Measurable impacts achievable within 18 months through
focused implementation of high-ROI interventions
Positions Bangladesh as a top-tier partner in Korea's labor
migration program
Ensures worker welfare and skill development while
maximizing economic benefits