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What the papers say

Minimum Wage Raise

A weekly round up of articles about employment, the labor market, skills training and workforce development. This week’s round up is drawn from The Daily Star. Here is the news for the week ending 18 January 2018.

This week in the Bangladesh English Press…

…we hear about the formation of a new government wage board. The board will set a new minimum wage for the garment workers. India becomes a major garment export market for Bangladesh. And Bangladesh is likely to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status soon.

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What the papers say

Gains and Losses

A weekly round up of articles about employment, the labor market, skills training and workforce development. This week’s round up is drawn from The Daily Star. Here is the news for the week ending 9th November, 2017.

This week in the Bangladesh English Press…

The government of Bangladesh continues new initiatives to enhance development. The agriculture sector suffers. New business relationships are nurtured. But some industries face obstacles and slow growth.

Workers demand higher wages. And we see progress on gender rights. Also, banks takes new steps to help marginalized people.

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What the papers say

Trade and Investment

A weekly round up of articles about employment, the labor market, skills training and workforce development. This week’s round up is drawn from The Daily Star. Here is the news for the week ending 26th October, 2017.

This week in the Bangladesh English Press…

Trade and FDI in Bangladesh have increased. While there have been a few success stories, some problems still exist.

Agriculture continues to face challenges. Some farmers have enjoyed good crop cultivation, whereas others had to bear losses. Banks have shown interest in increasing agriculture loans. This is likely to boost the sector.

Workers both within and outside Bangladesh suffered misfortunes. Unsafe working condition is a major cause. Productivity among women garments workers needs to increase.

The Government has taken good initiatives to enhance women empowerment. Such as access to bank loans, opening help centers for women entrepreneurs and increasing women’s participation in IT related jobs. The Government is also focusing on youth development and employment.

The National Board of Revenue is set to hold tax fairs, workshops and conduct studies.

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What the papers say

Garment Exports Up

A weekly round up of articles about employment, the labor market, skills training and workforce development. This week’s round up is drawn from The Daily Star. Here is the news for the week ending 10th November 2016.

This week in the Bangladesh English Press…

…Donors adjust support to Bangladesh. Export earnings fail expectations while Government battles for trade privileges. Government to set up manpower authority for economic zones and expand youth training programme. Pay packets are squeezed forBangladeshi workers oversees.  And music makers drop a beat while sesame farming opens for business.

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What the papers say

Migration Meet in Dhaka

A weekly round up of articles about employment, the labor market, skills training and workforce development. This week’s round up is drawn from The Independent. Here is the news for the week ending 3rd November 2016.

This week in the Bangladesh English Press…

…we look at the potential of call centres to create jobs. Bangladesh is about to hold a major summit on migration and the country secures billions of dollars in Chinese investment.

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What the papers say

Women Face Constraints

A weekly round up of articles about employment, the labor market, skills training and workforce development. This week’s round up is drawn from The Daily Star. Here is the news for the week ending 28th July 2016.

This week in the Bangladesh English Press…

…we look at women’s economic opportunities, consider China’s shrinking workforce as an opportunity for Bangladesh, and discuss a few new ideas for agricultural. And the year end figures for remittances are in.

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What the papers say

Economic Zones Key

A weekly round up of articles about employment, the labor market, skills training and workforce development. This week’s round up is drawn from The Daily Star. Here is the news for the week ending 23rd June 2016.

This week in the Bangladesh English Press…

…there has been a record FDI flow of $2.2 billion in 2015, which is 44.1% higher compared to 2014. But Economist are skeptical about the targeted GDP growth of 8% because private investment to GDP ratio remains low. As part of private sector development project, World Bank sanctioned a loan of $130 million to Bangladesh. NGOs come together to progress  the Sustainable Development Goals. And Malaysia sends 2500 undocumented Bangladeshi workers home.

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What the papers say

Forced Labour Response

A weekly round up of articles about employment, the labour market, skills training and workforce development. This week’s round up is drawn from The Daily Star. Here is the news for the week ending 2nd June 2016.

This week in the Bangladesh English Press…

…Government invests in ICT training to target those looking for self employment. And a midwives training program is expanded to reduce child and maternal mortality. Global Slavery Index cites Bangladesh response to modern slavery. Child labor continues in tobacco production in poor rural areas. Research shows further opportunity for RMG sector to gain global competitive advantage.

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What the papers say

Growth Forecast

A weekly round up of articles about employment, the labour market, skills training and workforce development. This week’s round up is drawn from The Daily Star. Here is the news for the week ending 7th April 2016.

This week in the Bangladesh English Press…

…Bangladesh met a long awaited growth target and joins a World Trade Organization agreement to save on trade. The government intervenes to correct prices in wheat and oil. Tanners face heavy losses in move to Savar.

Economic Forecast

Bangladesh will achieve 7.05 percent GDP growth in this fiscal year, including a rise of per capita income to USD 1,466. This helps confirm an optimistic growth forecast from the Asian Development Bank in September of last year, which praised Bangladesh for its achievements in the last couple of years.

Bangladesh will ratify the trade facilitation agreement of the WTO, placing it in a community of 57 other countries committed to an easier flow of goods and lower business costs for trade. A recent report argued that developing countries could benefit greatly, increasing export revenue by USD 170-730 billion. Coupled with the news of Bangladesh’s GDP growth forecast, the future looks bright for Bangladesh’s economy.

Relocation Hides Profits

Tanneries in Hazaribagh will mostly likely miss the extended deadline for moving hides and relocating operations to Savar. The Tannery Industrial Estate, a government project to move tanneries out of the capital, further northwest, has been responded to with minimal enthusiasm. Tanneries are having trouble moving the hides, often losing many in the process, and are slow to set up the same utilities and infrastructure they had in Hazaribagh. Only 33% of tanneries have applied for gas connections, and 20% for water. Tanners are worried about the relocation, as they fear losing what could be large profits. Until 50 tanneries relocate, the government can’t begin the operation of the factory, leading to further lost profits.

Intervening on Prices

Low wheat prices and an increase in imported wheat dampens the hope of a more profitable season for farmers. However, later in the week, the Government announced it would support wheat farmers by purchasing wheat from the beginning of next week, lasting until the end of May. The Government will buy a total of 200 000 tonnes of wheat, out of the 1 398 000 tonnes produced this season. While the purchase will not vastly improve the condition of wheat farmers, it will help them get through a tougher season.

The call for cheaper petroleum was answered as the government lowers the price of furnace oil from Tk 60 to Tk 42 a litre. As the global market for oil fell in mid 2014 and continued to stay low, local markets urged the government to follow suit to encourage individual consumers and businesses.

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What the papers say

Structuring Tomorrow

A weekly round up of articles about employment, the labour market, skills training and workforce development.This week’s round up is drawn from The Financial Express. Here is the news for the week ending 24th March 2016.

This week in the Bangladesh English Press…

….International Chamber Commerce debates sustainable development goals while United Nations conferences on urban policy. Trade agreements in flux with China and Malaysia. And pharmaceuticals and light engineerings receive policy support. The Government supports poor fisherman and protects vulnerable farmers.