Dhaka:The government of Bangladesh is implementing extensive initiatives aimed at expanding and diversifying employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers in the global labor market. These initiatives include major training programs targeting the youth, as part of the country's global employment strategy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury has emphasized the importance of tapping into non-traditional international labor markets as a key component of this strategy. The government is prioritizing the deployment of skilled workers to emerging international labor markets, with a goal of sending 10 million skilled workers abroad over the next five years.
The government's master plan aims to explore new and advanced markets, increase remittance inflows, secure safe migration, eliminate unscrupulous recruitment networks, ensure decent employment and legal protection, and bolster economic dynamism. Efforts are being made to expand opportunities beyond traditional destinations in the Middle East, targeting emerging markets in developed countries such as Italy, Germany, Greece, Romania, Japan, and South Korea.
To support these objectives, the government is reducing migration costs and enhancing recruitment through legitimate channels. It is also ensuring that Bangladeshi workers are provided with decent employment and legal protection in destination countries. Currently, technical training centers across the country are preparing young people with skills in IT, modern driving, nursing, caregiving, and other trades, coupled with language training in Japanese, Korean, German, and Arabic.
These initiatives are part of a broader effort to sustain and increase remittance inflows, as Bangladesh received $10.72 billion in remittances from July 1 to October 24 of the current fiscal year, an 11.9 percent increase from the previous year. The government has also been working on diplomatic efforts to reopen Malaysia’s labor market to Bangladeshi workers and has secured agreements with Japan and several European countries for skilled labor migration.
In Oceania and other regions, demand for Bangladeshi workers is reportedly rising, with opportunities in Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and the Maldives, among others. The government is also taking steps to reduce migration costs and protect workers through digital platforms and legal measures.