Digital platforms creating jobs but also new inequality: Debapriya

While digital platforms are creating unprecedented employment opportunities in Bangladesh, they are simultaneously giving rise to a new form of inequality, Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said today (6 January).

"Rising productivity and the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence are shrinking traditional forms of employment, posing fresh challenges for the labour market," he said while addressing a seminar held at the Cirdap auditorium in the capital. 

The seminar was moderated by Zillur Rahman, president of the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS).

At the programme, Debapriya presented an analysis of Bangladesh's digital economy and stressed the need for structural reforms in light of a proposed citizens' manifesto.

He pointed out that the gig economy had expanded even to marginal regions of the country. As an example, he cited around 1,500 freelancers in Thakurgaon who are selling illustrations in the global market despite having limited technological resources.

However, he identified the absence of an institutional framework as the sector's main constraint.

According to Debapriya, there are no clear Bangladesh Bank regulations to allow freelancers to receive payments smoothly, nor do they have access to basic financial services such as credit cards. This policy vacuum, he said, is preventing freelancers' earnings from being fully integrated into the formal economy.

The CPD distinguished fellow stressed that a major expansion of digital systems is now essential to curb corruption and improve efficiency. "The use of digital platforms for utility bill payments and stipend distribution has already reduced leakages and made it easier to identify irregularities," he said.

To make these gains sustainable, he proposed the creation of an integrated "National Data Centre". 

He said the database should be managed by an autonomous oversight and accountability body, independent of the home ministry and the Election Commission.

"The database should bring together citizens' NID, TIN, BIN and information related to government services, including allowances and stipends," he added.

While welcoming some recent government initiatives, including the introduction of Starlink and the National Equipment Identity Register (NEIR) system to block unregistered mobile phones, Debapriya criticised the lack of consultation with stakeholders before taking such decisions.

He also expressed concern over the absence of transparency surrounding the proposed Cyber Security Act Ordinance 2025, warning that unclear provisions on personal data protection and safeguards against phone surveillance have raised public anxiety.

Misuse of AI

Debapriya further warned that social media and artificial intelligence could become major sources of chaos, division and disinformation in the run-up to the next national election.

He said neither the government nor the Election Commission appeared to be playing an effective role in curbing the spread of false information targeting election candidates.

"From the Election Commission, we are not seeing any effective initiative, capacity, or even goodwill to control these issues," he said. 

"There is hate against women, propaganda against religious and ethnic minorities, and even where small steps have been taken from the highest levels of government, we have so far seen no initiative from the Election Commission or law enforcement agencies to make those measures effective," he added.

"Although the government has written to Meta, the absence of a local office in Bangladesh and language limitations make it very difficult to curb hate speech and politically motivated violence online," Debapriya said.

Concerns over law and order

Speaking at the event, CGS President Zillur Rahman said the country's current law and order situation was unfavourable for business, the economy, public safety, politics and democracy.

"The politics of polarisation and division that we are now patronising – I would say the state itself is patronising this – raises serious questions about how we will come out of this situation," he said.

"We often talk about tolerance and empathy, but Bangladesh is moving far away from those values. If we fail to address these crises, we may be able to hold an election, but there is real doubt about whether that will bring any meaningful relief."

Others who spoke at the seminar included former National Board of Revenue chairman Muhammad Abdul Mazid; Dhaka University Banking and Insurance Department Professor Shahidul Islam Zahid; University of Asia Pacific School of Business Dean MA Baqui Khalily; Daffodil Group Chairman Sabur Khan; former Barvida president Abdul Haque; former Bangladesh Chamber of Industries president Shahedul Islam Helal; and former Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Asif Ibrahim.

According to them, although the digital economy in Bangladesh is growing rapidly, the sector still faces a range of challenges, including policy uncertainty, infrastructural limitations, high bandwidth costs, the digital divide, and a lack of accountability in the use of social media.