Dhaka - Post Report Question and Answers
What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Most either get jobs at the embassy or work remotely online. Some people do contracting gigs with development NGOs. - Jul 2023
Lots of Embassy jobs. Local salary standards are very low. - Dec 2021
Work in Dhaka is available, just look for it and you'll find it :) - Sep 2021
US mission spouses are only allowed at post if they are employed at the US embassy or the American School. A variety of jobs are available with local NGOs. - Apr 2017
It's very difficult for spouses to find work outside of the Embassy. There are limited jobs at AISD and at local NGOs for spouses who qualify. Salary scales on the local economy are very low. - Jun 2016
You can work at AISD. - May 2016
No - Jun 2015
yes - Mar 2015
I don't think so. - Sep 2014
My wife was the CLO at the British High Commission but that is extremely rare. - Aug 2014
Mostly NGO work or local salary levels. - Jul 2014
Local economy... not so sure. EFMs generally work for the embassy, an international NGO, or an international school. Those who want to be employed are. - Aug 2013
Several at the embassy and school, also out with NGOs. - Aug 2011
No. If you're not with an embassy, Bangladesh will literally annotate spouse visas with "No right to work or perform volunteer activities." - Feb 2011
Not really unless you work for a foreign company or NGO. - Jan 2011
Not much. - Jan 2011
There are opportunities, but people I knew who had good jobs had special skill sets (e.g., public health or IT) and had to do much of the legwork themselves. - Oct 2010
No, but there are invaluable volunteering opportunities. - Apr 2010
Decent, yes, though finding paid work can be a challenge. There are many NGOs and international organizations, international businesses, and international schools--and jobs at those don't always require Bangla. - Oct 2009
Yes. Many NGOs are here. Numerous expats have found rewarding jobs. Lots of spouses work at the embassy, too. - Aug 2009
If you work in public health or development, you have a good chance of finding something worthwhile. Almost every development organization and international ogranization is represented here. There are some jobs at the Embassy, but they are mainly clerical. - Mar 2009
This is a tricky question. A work permit is something that is technically required. I didn't get one, and found work. But I think I was lucky. - Nov 2008
No, we hear many of the spouses complain about the lack of jobs/work. - Oct 2008
At NGOs. - Mar 2008
If you're associated with the Embassy then most people seem to work with one of the local hospitals. Any work outside of that is difficult to get because of embassy security concerns. If you are here privately, there are tons of NGOs that employ foreigners. - Feb 2008
