Skilled workers have chance to earn decent money abroad
Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Imran Ahmad has said though Bangladesh labour markets in countries has shrinked somewhat but the number of skilled workers rose and they have chance to earn a decent of amount money abroad.
In an exclusive interview with Jago News, the minister said it verily needs skilled workers according to dynamism of world labour markets, and Bangladesh is on efforts to raise skill of the ones.
"Bangladesh labour markets abroad have decreased but the number of skilled ones is increasing," the minister said, adding that it's essential to advance the labour market for turning the country into middle-income and developed one.
About reality of the present world, Imran Ahmed is for sending those workers who are mechanically skilled, instead of manual ones.
He said, "Manul works (done by using hands) is now turning into mechanical. Once people used spade to cultivate land, now tractor is used to do the same works. So, it's better for country to send mechanically skilled labourers abroad."
Mentioning that Bangladesh is marching forward with the goal, Imran Ahmed said training measures in training centers are on with a view to raising efficient manpower.
Now the country has as many as 70 vocational training centers (TTC), and 40 more would be opened.
"Our goal is to launch at least one training center each upazila of the country and develop more the exixting centers through private perternship," the minister added.
Informing that new labour market opens for proficient workers, the minister said, "Japan is the largest among the new labour markets. We have started sending workers in the country. Bangladesh has now been included as no. nine source country of Japan."
Mentioning that Japan is very strict about efficiency, Minister Imran said a skilled Bangladeshi worker in the country has chance to earn Tk 1 to 2 lakh per month. "If our boys spend eight months in training, going to the East Asia country they can get a good salary," he added.
Replying to another question, he said that Japan will take around 3.50 lakh skilled workers from nine source countries next five years.
"If our workers can last in competition, it is possible to send 3.50 lakh workers from Bangladesh," the minister added.
About labour market in Japan, the minister said Bangladesh female caregivers and male workers changed their fate going there and doing job. "I have gone there (Japan) and seen them (workers) happy," Imran said.
Specially skilled workers who will go to Japan will get Visa for five years, and within the period they can take their family there.
After their Visa expired, period of their Visa would be extended for five years more. After staying there 10 years, they can apply for permanent residence in the country, the minister disclosed.
"This is an excellent system. Now we need to give our best," Minister Imran Ahmed said.
He also suggested the aspirants to go to Japan not to make money exchange with the brokers or recruiting aggencies.
The government has a stipulated rate in case of sending people abroad. Many people do not know but give money to brokers by selling homestead. The government will take action against those cheat poor people, the Expatriates' Welfare said.
About measures taken against recruiting agencies by the government for irregularities, Minister Imran said several ones have, so far, been fined around Tk 3.50 crore, and license of 166 agencies scrapped.
