Care-giving sector needs the attention it deserves

It is strange that despite high potential, care-giving service sector in the country has remained largely overlooked as a significant driver of employment. A recent study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) reveals that Bangladesh could create approximately 7.0 million new jobs in care-giving services by 2035, while global demand is projected to increase to over 300 million. The study highlights that with necessary investments in care policies, such as childcare and long-term care, as well as proper training, this potential can be fully realised. Increased demand for care-giving services owes to factors like industrialisation, demographic shifts, climate change, and migration, requiring increased investment and support, the study says. The study also stresses the importance of recognising care-giving as a formal service sector. A structured approach to formalising care-giving would empower caregivers by enabling them to organise, participate in labour-rights discussions, and advocate for fair working conditions.

There is no denying that creating a professional care-giving workforce not only addresses the increasing demand for care but also supports economic growth by providing meaningful and stable employment opportunities. As the population ages and the demand for healthcare services grows, care-giving jobs such as nursing, elderly care, childcare, palliative care and support for people with disabilities are proving increasingly important. Besides, care-givers can also extend the much needed services through daycare centres for children having working parents. These roles not only address essential health and social needs but also create job opportunities for a large section of the population, especially women. In a country where gender employment disparity remains a challenge, the care-giving sector provides a unique opportunity for women to engage in the workforce, enhancing gender equity in employment and empowering women financially. This participation is crucial to achieving sustainable development and economic resilience.   Beyond employment, the care-giving sector can foster improved social welfare and community health outcomes, benefiting families and communities on a larger scale.

At the moment the care-givers in the country, beyond hospitals and clinics, run their activities mostly informally- and that too in urban locations. While there is immense scope to expand their services, the critical issue remains equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge. It is thus crucially important the intending care-givers are provided with adequate training so that they become well conversant with their jobs in various roles. Skilled caregivers can contribute to healthier communities by supporting the well-being and productivity of both the caregivers and the recipients, which, in turn, positively impacts the economy.

As Bangladesh aims for higher living standards and a stronger healthcare infrastructure, development of the care-giving sector is most essential. Investment in care-giving jobs and training can increase the workforce's capabilities and address the unmet demand for health and social services, creating a stable foundation for economic growth and long-term societal progress. To achieve this, the onus is on the government to develop adequate training facilities so that trained caregivers, besides seeking better returns for their services at home can also look for employment prospects overseas.