Post-pandemic employment needs comprehensive action plan

We are entering a new world order due to the pandemic, commenting so ActionAid Bangladesh Director Farah Kabir said it is time to rethink and work together ending the unequal and discriminatory mindset of the pre-Covid period.  

Farah Kabir said, "This situation provides a chance to reconsider the course of our action and start over as many are newly slipping into poverty." 

She said this Sunday at the virtual roundtable titled "The Scenario of the Post Covid-19 Youth Employment". ActionAid and The Daily Star jointly organised the programme. 

Farah Kabir in her speech shaded light on the possible outlook of post-pandemic job market and the required skillset. She noted that a comprehensive approach would provide the best output in the changed situation.             

She called for equal recognition of different professionals and more allocation for research.  

The programme also inaugurated a micro-site named "Young People Igniting Transformation" which will provide the youth with all required information. 

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, stressed on proper implementation of youth development policies. 

Emphasizing skilled youth workforce, Mahfuz Anam said, "Currently, the youths are hopeless and they also lack self-confidence. We need to reach out them to bring a positive change."           

Deputy Manager of ActionAid Bangladesh Hatem Ali said the youths are the worst victim of the virus fallout. Their skills and labour market demands mismatch owing to the fourth industrial revolution.    

He said the national skill development policy should go through under a review due to the current virus situation. Hatem Ali also called for inclusion of the youths to the social safety net programmes.   

Bangladesh Technical Education Board Specialist Dr Md Shah Alam Majumder, D Engineers' Club Founder Somen Kanungo, ActionAid Bangladesh Manager Nazmul Ahsan, Awaaz Foundation Executive Director Nazma Akter, Bangladesh Employers Federation President Kamran T Rahman, UCEP Bangladesh Executive Director Tahsina Ahmed, joint secretary of the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nasreen Jahan, a2i Policy Advisor Anir Chowdhury, Bangladesh Industrial and Technical Assistance Center Director General Dr Md Mofizur Rahman and International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen also spoke at the virtual event.