Building manufacturing-oriented workforce key to curbing unemployment: Experts

To reduce unemployment in Bangladesh, the country must focus on developing a technology-driven skilled workforce tailored to the manufacturing sector, experts said at an event yesterday.

Speaking at a conference titled "Youth Reform Agenda: Employment, Health, and Technology", organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), they emphasised the need to move away from a traditional education system and a mindset centered on government jobs, advocating instead for alternative pathways and greater social recognition of technical education.

The event, held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital, was chaired by CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun.

Experts said that limited demand for higher academic degrees is contributing to educated unemployment, as graduates tend to be increasingly selective about jobs. Hence, building a tech-driven, skilled workforce in the manufacturing sector will boost employment and support economic growth.

Syed Nasim Manzur, president of the Leather and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB), urged breaking the mindset that manufacturing jobs lower social status. 

Highlighting China's success in manufacturing, producing 26% of the world's goods, he said that Bangladesh must develop a skilled manufacturing workforce for economic growth.

Calling for a shift in education from certificate-based to skill-based, he said that the unemployment rate is highest among the educated. 

Manzur also said that aspiring entrepreneurs should first gain experience in large industries to prepare for the fourth industrial revolution. "We must produce goods that are in global demand, and we cannot sit idly waiting for the government to do everything," he added.

AKM Fahim Mashroor, CEO of bdjobs, said Bangladesh's unemployment rate is rising, especially among the youth. This is not just an economic issue but has become a social and political concern. He referred to the July protests over quotas in government jobs.

He noted that compared to the 2010-11 fiscal year, the number of graduates has tripled. Most employment occurs in manufacturing and service sectors, but the demand for graduates in manufacturing is low. The country needs skilled manpower in manufacturing.

He also pointed out that internet costs in Bangladesh are higher than in other countries. Besides VAT, there is an additional 20% surcharge on internet services. To increase internet-based employment opportunities, this extra surcharge should be removed.

Alif Rudaba, a member of the National Skills Development Authority, said, "Our GDP growth mainly comes from the industrial sector. Without increased production there, GDP and per capita income won't rise. The focus should be on quality jobs in both the public and private sectors."

"We must move beyond viewing government jobs [BCS] as the only option and give technical education equal status with general education. This mindset change will take time — about 20-25 years if we start now," she said.

Addressing as the chief guest, Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said, "Our problem is unemployment among educated individuals. Even after higher studies, many Bangladeshis work low-skilled jobs abroad, which are socially taboo at home. Around 2 crore Bangladeshis live abroad, but few have technical skills. It's high time to rethink education."

Fahmida Khatun said, "Nearly 20 lakh youths enter the labour market yearly, but jobs are scarce. Most seek government jobs, but only 5-6% of demand is met there. The private sector employs more but is currently stagnant, with limited investment and shrinking markets."

She said, "Last July's public job quota protests highlighted this issue. The interim government has not increased employment in nine months, with no economic improvements or foreign and private investments."

"We must rethink employment. Not everyone can get an office job given our economy's size. We need to focus on self-employment and creating jobs for others, which requires funding. Labour markets are changing with new technology, which can both create opportunities and risks. Skill development must match market demand," Fahmida added.

Presenting the keynote paper, Foqoruddin Al Kabir, senior research associate at CPD, proposed several reforms.

He said, the existing National Employment Policy 2022 should be comprehensively revised and regularly updated to pursue an active labour market policy and to take into account the changes, prospects, needs, and constraints of the current labour market and the future nature of work.

"To prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the government should launch a national skills development programme to prepare workers in key technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, digital technology, cloud computing, 3D printing, and biotechnology, and align the private sector with the needs of the global labour market and emerging industries," he said.

Foqoruddin also recommended that the government should create 100 district-based and university-based innovation and entrepreneurship hubs to support technology-based startups and enterprises, which will play a critical role in decent employment.

'Good policy, use of tech essential for health sector'

Addressing a session on healthcare at the conference, experts said Bangladesh's healthcare system is held back by weak infrastructure, low budget allocation, poor governance, corruption, and misuse of technology. Without proper use of digital tools and structural reforms, improvement is unlikely.

Fahmida Khatun said, "Our health sector has long been neglected. We lag behind neighbouring countries in quality. Healthcare is a basic service, but it is largely absent here. Ensuring good governance, proper use of technology, and structural reforms in healthcare are urgent."

CPD Programme Associate Preetilata Khondaker Huq, presenting the keynote at the session, noted that Bangladesh ranked last out of 40 countries in the 2022 Health Inclusivity Index by Economist Impact, scoring poorly in inclusivity, societal health, and community empowerment.

"Digital healthcare can transform access to treatment through an integrated health ecosystem," she added.

BNP's Assistant International Affairs Secretary Barrister Rumeen Farhana said, "Regardless of which government is in power, health budget allocation has always remained below 1% of GDP. We have a shortage of doctors and nurses, broken equipment in hospitals, and poor hygiene."

"To fix this, a law should mandate that elected representatives and their families must receive treatment within the country — MPs only in public hospitals. Only then will public hospital conditions improve," she added.

Tasnim Jara, senior joint secretary of the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, said, "Public hospitals are overwhelmed. Those who can afford it go abroad, and even healthcare providers are dissatisfied. A central health information portal, digital health records, and a referral system could ease treatment access and reduce patient suffering."

Public health expert Lelin Choudhury said a healthcare reform report has been prepared based on five pillars: promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care, and called for its urgent implementation.

Abu Muhammad Zakir Hossain, a member of the Healthcare Reform Commission, said, "Bangladesh allocates the lowest health budget in Southeast Asia. We've recommended revising the health budget every 10 years based on the population's needs."

Another member of the Commission, Liaquat Ali, added, "Integrating technology into primary healthcare will reduce people's dependency on others. Producing medical devices locally can also boost employment."

Economist and Dhaka University professor Rumana Haque emphasised that investing in youth mental health and nutrition can generate significant long-term returns.