Dhaka: A delegation from Japan’s National Business Support Combined Cooperatives (NBCC) met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to provide updates on the recruitment of 100,000 skilled Bangladeshi workers to Japan. The meeting took place at the State Guest House Jamuna and was attended by Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Professor Dr. Asif Nazrul and Chief Coordinator on SDG Affairs Lamia Morshed.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the NBCC is a federation of over 65 Japanese companies and recently signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) with Bangladesh to facilitate the recruitment process. The MoI aims to create a framework for training, certification, and employment, intending to employ more than 100,000 Bangladeshi workers under programmes like the Technical Intern Training Programme (TITP) and Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) over the next five years.
During the meeting, the delegation informed that the initial phase aims to recruit 2,000 skilled workers next year, with plans to increase the number to 6,000 in 2027 and 18,000 in 2028. The sectors with the highest demand for workers include construction, service, aviation, garments, and agriculture, with an anticipated rise in demand for drivers, automobile, and recycling sector workers.
To prepare the workforce, training centers have been established in Khulna and Kapasia, Gazipur, which have been visited by NBCC representatives. The Chief Adviser inquired about potential shortcomings in the training process, to which NBCC Chairman Mikio Kesagayama expressed satisfaction with the progress and noted the need for improved language skills among trainers.
Professor Yunus suggested introducing virtual classes and possibly bringing Japanese trainers to Bangladesh for in-person sessions, emphasizing the potential of Bangladeshi women in the caregiving sector given adequate language and skills training.
The NBCC delegation also mentioned Japan’s future need for over 400,000 skilled nurses and the possibility of recruiting more from Bangladesh. Professor Asif Nazrul highlighted that the government is actively monitoring the recruitment process and will prepare a roadmap to guide it.
A dedicated cell has been established under the ministry to address recruitment-related issues, ensuring a smooth process for deploying Bangladeshi workers to Japan.