Benefits and downsides of remote work

FE Team | Published: May 13, 2026 20:14:40

The practice of working remotely has fast gained popularity in Bangladesh as a mode of earning a living. This development, which started out due to the coronavirus pandemic, has since been institutionalised among the country's youth population by working for overseas clients from their homes.
Internet penetration plays an important part in the success of remote employment. According to BTRC, there are more than 130 million internet users in Bangladesh. With improved internet connectivity, most people are now able to access global freelancing websites such as Upwork and Fiverr and start earning money by working remotely.
Another critical component of remote work is flexibility. Remote workers do not have to travel far distances for their work. People living in cities such as Dhaka find it very difficult due to heavy traffic in the city.
There are positive and negative aspects associated with remote work. The positive aspect of remote work includes foreign currency generation, which is comparable to remittances. The ICT Division believes that Bangladeshi freelance workers earn more than $1 billion annually through remote work. Another positive aspect of remote work is the improvement of English language proficiency among people who work remotely.
But there are negatives. Job insecurity is one major issue that plagues many remote jobs, as they do not come with benefits or rights as regular jobs. Another negative point that can affect individuals in the long term is social isolation, as individuals do not get a chance to meet people on a daily basis. Lack of internet connectivity and space in the house can make it challenging for some individuals to participate equally. Again, remote workers also often face difficulties in receiving their salaries due to the lack of proper banking infrastructure tailored to their needs. This remains a practical challenge, and the government should look into the matter more seriously.
As far as the future is concerned, the outlook for remote jobs seems bright. Global interest in hiring remote workers is rising, and Bangladesh can capitalize on this opportunity provided it focuses on developing its digital infrastructure and skills of its people. Additionally, it must have supportive policies for its freelancers.
Nishat Tabassum Prioti
Dhaka
nishat.prioti@northsouth.edu