Bangladesh vows to boost youth employability, global labour cooperation

Dhaka, 29 Jan  - Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to enhancing youth employability and strengthening international labour cooperation.

“Our goal is to ensure that Bangladesh’s youths are not just jobseekers but valuable contributors to both domestic and international economies,” he said during the Global Labour Market Conference in Riyadh.

At the ministerial round table, Dr Nazrul highlighted Bangladesh’s Skills for Employment Investment Program (SEIP), which has successfully trained over 200,000 youths in key industries such as IT, healthcare and manufacturing.

With 70% of graduates securing jobs within six months, Bangladesh has demonstrated the effectiveness of industry-driven training and public-private partnerships, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He emphasised digital job-matching platforms, AI-driven employment solutions, and Bangladesh’s position as the world’s second-largest supplier of online freelancers, generating over $500 million annually.

Reaffirming Bangladesh’s dedication to sustainable employment opportunities, bridging the gap between education and industry, and ensuring the well-being of its overseas workforce, Dr Nazrul expressed optimism about deepening cooperation with international partners.

Policymakers, industry leaders, scholars, innovators and labour sector experts from over 100 countries convened in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for the second edition of the Global Labour Market Conference (GLMC).

The event serves as a vital platform for addressing key challenges and shaping the future of the global labour market.

In his opening remarks, Saudi Minister of Human Resources Ahmad bin Sulaiman AlRajhi emphasised the conference’s growing significance, stating: “Since its inception a year ago, the GLMC has emerged as a leading platform for shaping the future of the labour sector. This year’s discussions focus on critical challenges and opportunities within the global market, fostering meaningful dialogue on labour dynamics and innovative solutions.”

On the sidelines of the conference, Asif Nazrul held a bilateral meeting with Qatari Labour Minister Dr Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri.

He expressed gratitude for Qatar’s continued support of Bangladeshi workers. He acknowledged their contributions to major infrastructure projects, including the FIFA World Cup 2022, and welcomed Qatar’s labour reforms.

The Adviser requested the Qatari Minister comprehensive insurance covering natural death and financial assistance for workers in legal disputes, increasing recruitment of skilled professionals in healthcare, technology, and renewable energy to support Qatar’s Vision 2030, lowering migration costs and ensuring a transparent recruitment process.

He also invited Qatar to establish skill-specific training centers in Bangladesh and modernize its labour ecosystem.

Dr Nazrul also proposed convening the 7th Joint Committee Meeting in Doha in early 2025 to strengthen cooperation under the 1988 bilateral labour agreement.

The Qatari Labour Minister praised the contributions of Bangladeshi workers and assured that his ministry would review the proposals positively.