Is the reason of being unemployed only
for insufficient availability of job opportunitis or lack of skilled workers
and absence of entrepreneurial mindsets are also responsible in Bangladesh?
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nemployment
is very familiar term for a developing country, like Bangladesh. It refers to
the state of being without any work both for a educated and an uneducated
person to earn his or her livelihood. According to International Labour
Organisation (ILO), at present 30 lakh workers are unemployed in Bangladesh.
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment rate in Bangladesh is expected to
increase 4.40% from 4.19% by the end of 2020 (Source: Trading Economic). So job
sectors are going to face another new challenge. Nowadays many job candidates
are blaming about insufficient job opportunities in the market for unemployment
condition in Bangladesh. It is true that there are some lacks of job
opportunities but if candidates prepare themeselves as skilled, they will be
considered as an asset of our nation. Furthermore, job market demand is
incompatible with the education system of our country. Students focus only on
knowledge regarding their degree instead of practical experiences.
Structural unemployment is arising because there are shortage of skilled
and efficient manpower who are applying for job. As a result, there is a
mismatch between skills acquired (supply) and skills required (demand). In
2020, because of COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment condition has become a big
concern for whole of the nation. People are losing their jobs and again
searching jobs but still large number of jobless workers are failed to find
their earning source. To be successful, an employee must need technical
knowledge to operate equipments as well as computers, powerful communication
skills for exchanging information with insides and outsiders, the leadership
skills in order to guide others, organizing capacity, skills of proper
management, knowledge of how to do marketing and so on. Research has found that
1/5 of the people believe that academic knowledge and degree is enough for getting
their desirable jobs. (Source: BRAC, BIGD & BRAC University combined research, July 25, 2019). Still women are going less through acquiring skills
compared to men. An increase in entrepreneurship has positive effect in the
improvement of employment opportunities. Entrepreneurship leads to incremental
wealth but the absence of entrepreneurial mindsets among today’s job seekers is
a matter of concern. According to World Bank and Doing Business Index 2020, Bangladesh
ranks 168 out of 190 countries (In terms of easy accessibility of doing
business). Generally, people has fear of taking risk, so they go for government
job where risks and uncertainties are not associated and employees think this
job will bring a secured life. Therefore, competition Increases which leads to
unemployment.
Faria Azad, completed graduation in 2017, said " I am trying
only for government job. I thought, in this year 41th BCS will be held but it
didn’t hold for COVID-19 pandemic situation. Eligibility (Age) for applying in
govt. job is almost done. As a girl, different pressures are coming from family
to get married and also facing mental pressures. (Source: BBC News Bangla, 24
June, 2020). If employees are preparing for govt. or other secured jobs, this
is really praiseworthy, but trying in only one sector is not appropriate. He or
she may be eligible in other sectors too. If they have alternative source for
being employed, a reduction in unemployment rate will be seen. Moreover,
employee lacks entrepreneurial skills, i.e. how to plan, finance, invest,
manage and control business etc. Insufficient capital is a serious restriction.
Social misconceptions; people prefer to be doctors, engineers, teachers, pilots,
barristers etc. thinking that these are more honourable jobs than becoming an
entrepreneur. Uncertainty and complexity while starting business is also a
reason for not engaging in entrepreneurship in Bangladesh.
In addition to, unemployment can be arisen from two
different sides. Supply side (worker):
·
Frictional
·
Geographical
immobility
·
Structural
mismatch of skills
Demand side (Employer):
·
High
Interest rates
·
Financial
Crisis
·
Global
recession
So, these are various reasons for creating unemployment. Therefore, in
the initial stage, quality education must be ensured by educating digitally and
increasing internet accessibility. Involvement in research activities among
young generations must be increased, because a country’s development largely
depends on how much they are engaged in research. Various training programmes,
seminars, conferences should be arranged with a view to encouraging and providing
necessary knowledge of skills instead of arranging so many job fairs. Public
and Private funds should be raised for easy accessibility to getting fund.
Employees must be given the awareness that efficiency and self development of a
person and entrepreneurial mindsets can contribute to a nation’s development
which will help to reduce the unemployment rate. By these, unemployment may not
be eradicated but can be controlled.
In conclusion, Henry Ford said, “If there is unemployment in
America, it is because the unemployed do not want to work".” This is
appropriate for Bangladesh too. A person need to be willing to work. It can be said
that, a small amount of job opportunities has less impact on increasing
unemployment, rather few skilled workers and less entrepreneurs have large
impact for rising unemployment rate.
Name: Sabrin Sultana
Session: 2017-2018
Department: Banking & Insurance
