Trade
4 years ago

'Automation cutting jobs, creating unemployment problem'

Speakers tell conference

Picture used for representation. Courtesy: Horizon Sweaters Ltd
Picture used for representation. Courtesy: Horizon Sweaters Ltd

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The demand-supply mismatch in labour market and job cuts due to automation are creating unemployment problem and affecting the country's economy, speakers said at a function on Thursday.

Besides, a section of job-seekers remained unemployed due to conventional mindset and unskilled migrated workforce are being deprived of appropriate wages, they said.

They suggested enhancing private and public institutional capacities and demand-driven skills development, ensuring apprenticeship in job appointment and skilled workforce in migration and development of entrepreneurship mindset at school level.

The views and suggestions came at a 'National Conference on Skills and Future of Work' in the capital on Thursday, jointly organised by a2i (Access to information), UNICEF and ActionAid Bangladesh.

Science and technology minister Yeafesh Osman was present as the chief guest while senior secretary of the information and communication technology division N M Zeaul Alam chaired the function.

State minister for labour and employment Begum Monnujan Sufian, state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Chair of Generation Unlimited (Gen U) in Bangladesh and Former Principal Coordinator (SDG), among others, attended the programme.

Dr. Md. Abdul Mannan (PAA), additional secretary and project director of a2i, gave the address of welcome while Dara Johnston, deputy representative (OIC) of UNICEF, presented a key note paper.

Md. Shafiqul Islam, managing director of Small and Medium Enterprise Foundation (SMEF), Farah Kabir, Country Director of Action Aid Bangladesh, Noreen Khan, gender specialist of UNICEF Bangladesh, and Barrister Nihad Kabir, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Yeafesh Osman said in terms of youth, both men and women should be focused equally. The government is giving all-out efforts to create skilled workforce in the country, he added.

Ms. Begum Monnujan Sufian urged the parents to avoid the conventional mindset as it created pressure on their children. She also admitted prevailing unemployment problem in the country.

Mr. Palak emphasised on removing the gap between the industries and training providers as a good number of people are entering the job markets.

Ms. Farah Kabir also highlighted the need for proper of use of young resources in productive activities and including the humane education in the skill curriculum to make them humane.

Presenting the keynote paper, Mr. Dara Johnston said that the government has set seven targets to build skilled workforce by 2024. The government will send 5.0 million skilled workers abroad for decent jobs by 2024, he added.

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