Adviser to the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Asif Nazrul stated that Japan has a significant demand for skilled workers, emphasising the need for Bangladeshi workers to acquire the necessary skills to meet this demand.
He made these remarks at a seminar titled “Japan’s Labor Market: Opportunities and Challenges,” organised by the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment at the International Mother Language Institute in the capital on Wednesday.
As the chief guest, Asif Nazrul said, “We have formed a Japan Cell and plan to create a dedicated website. We are simplifying the process for sending workers. At the same time, we are considering public-private partnerships to enhance workers’ skills.”
Highlighting the realities of government jobs, he said, “When we visit government offices, we hear a plethora of complaints: no vehicles, no computers, insufficient number of staff members, no space, more manpower needed. Yet, we see that around 50% of existing employees do no work and remain idle.”
Regarding bank loans for students going abroad, he said, “We will make every effort to facilitate bank loans for students.”
Addressing citizens planning to go abroad, the adviser said, “Going abroad by any means is not the right approach. One must go with dignity, acquiring specific job skills. People must be made aware so that no one sells their home or land only to end up wandering the streets abroad in unfortunate circumstances.”
On sending workers to Malaysia, he mentioned, “Malaysia is likely to recruit 30,000 to 40,000 workers from Bangladesh in the next year.”