Photo: Collected-
Manpower export clocks 84% growth last year
Md Mizanur Rahman Himadri-
In spite of the Russia-Ukraine war and global economic slowdown, the manpower export of Bangladesh during the just concluded calendar year 2022 posted 84 per cent growth compared to the previous year 2021, according to the Bureau, Manpower, Employment and Trading (BMET).
Bangladesh exported a total of 11,35,873 workers during the January-December period of the current calendar year as against 617,209 during the same period of the previous year 2021, according to Bureau, Manpower, Employment and Trading (BMET).
The labour export during the period of December clocked 15.30 per cent growth compared to the previous month of November. Bangladesh exported a total of 98,411 workers during the month of December as against 81,181 workers to different countries during the month of November, according to BMET.
Saudi Arabia was the top destination of Bangladeshi workers with 612,418 workers (over 53.92 per cent of the market share), followed by Oman with 179,612 workers (15.81%), UAE with 101,775 workers (8.96 per cent), Singapore with 59,131 (5.75%), Jordan with 12,110 workers (1.18 %), Qatar with 24,447 (2.15 %), Kuwait with 20,422 workers (1.73%), Italy with 7594 workers (0.67%), Japan 508 (0.04 % ) and the UK with 942 workers (0.08%), according to BMET data.
Though Bangladesh’s labour export shot up 84 per cent during the January-December period of this calendar year, compared to the same period of 2021, the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war and growing high cost of living may rein in the tempo of Bangladesh’s labour export to different countries in the mid-and long run, cautioned stakeholders concerned.
As the Russia-Ukraine war began, giving the wrong signal to the global economy, industrialists and businessmen in labour importing countries may slow down recruitment of workers on grounds of the high cost of living and possible social unrest, said a leading labour exporter.
Bangladesh exported a total of 1,008,525 workers in 2017, the highest number in one year, during the last 50 years.
Meanwhile, new Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) President Mohammad Abul Bashar while talking to the daily said that new committee will work on speeding up manpower export to Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the manpower export recorded at 20,691 workers to the Southeast Asian country during the month of December with Bangladesh exporting a total of 50,090 workers during the January-December period of the current calendar year
Mohammad Abul Bashar, also an Awami League leader, said his panel has been against syndication of manpower export to Malaysia and will leave no stone unturned in boosting manpower to the Southeast Asian country.
Meanwhile, Malaymail, a leading Malaysian daily adds: The labour market is expected to strengthen further in 2023, underpinned by upbeat momentum in the domestic economy and modest expansion in the external sector, said MIDF Research.
It noted that Malaysia’s average jobless rate is expected to descend from 3.8 per cent in 2022 to 3.5 per cent in 2023, but slightly higher than the pre-pandemic level of 3.3 per cent.
“Malaysia’s job market in 2023 is anticipated to continue benefiting from firm domestic demand, China’s reopening, the revival of construction projects, expansion of primary sectors thanks to elevated global commodity prices, and modest external trade activities,
“In addition, we view that the recently concluded general election should reduce domestic politics temperature and allow for better and smooth implementation of fiscal policy,” the research house said.
MIDF Research said initiatives for labour market recovery and domestic economic growth should be among the major elements in the upcoming re-tabling of Budget 2023 and the midterm review of the 12th Malaysia Plan.
It said steady expansion in primary sectors as well as construction and services will prop up more employment opportunities next year, thereby labour force and employment are predicted to pick up by +1.6 per cent respectively this year.
MIDF Research also noted the continued recovery of Malaysia’s labour market with the unemployment rate staying at 3.6 per cent in November 2022.
“The labour force and employment continued expanding +2.5 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) and +3.2 per cent y-o-y, respectively, supported by robust domestic economic growth and upbeat external front.
“Unemployment dropped further by 13.5 per cent y-o-y, marking 15 consecutive months of contraction rate,” it said.
It also said that for the youth, aged 15 to 24, the unemployment rate was still at a double-digit rate of 11.9 per cent, more than a two-year low, but higher than the pre-pandemic rate (2019: 10.4 per cent).
On the other hand, it said that the outside labour force also reduced by -1.5 per cent y-o-y, registering the 13th-straight month of negative growth rate.
By type, it shared that employment growth was driven by employers +8.8 per cent y-o-y, self-account workers +8.4 per cent y-o-y and unpaid family workers +5.5 per cent y-o-y.
Meanwhile, the employee segment, which represents 75.9 per cent of total employment, grew steadily by +1.8 per cent y-o-y.
However, MIDF Research highlighted that the job patterns have shown signs of moderation in the economy amid a weakening external outlook.
On the number of job vacancies in Malaysia, the research house said that it registered 326,300 in October 2022.
In the first 10 months of 2022, job vacancies remain the highest at 412,200 on average, it added.
“This reflects a strong recovery in domestic economic activities fuelled by robust local demand and continuous expansion in the external sector.
“There is a better take-up by high-skilled occupations such as legislators, professionals and associate professionals.
“By sector, we notice a steady pick-up in agriculture, services and construction sectors, possibly induced by elevated commodity prices, strong consumer demand, international borders reopening and revival of infra projects,” it said, according to Bernama
Another report adds: As shared by Malaysia’s Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR), there are currently 1.3mn foreign workers in sectors that are allowed to hire and employ foreign workers. At the same time, more than 612,000 foreign workers have registered and passed the Safety and Health Inspection (SHE) checks in their home countries.
Additionally, 228,321 foreign workers (37.3% of the overall number) have been approved for Visas With Reference by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, and are waiting for arrival.
According to the ministry, the demand for foreign worker employment has hit about 1.8mn – the highest number ever received, it noted. In that vein, as of 26 September 2022, the ministry has approved a total of 541,315 quotas for the recruitment of foreign workers. Of that number, 436,613 quotas have made levy payments. Taking into account the 1.3mn foreign workers in Malaysia, and the 531,315 quotas that have been approved, MOHR highlighted that this number has “almost met the industry’s demand for foreign worker employment”.
Apart from the above, it was shared that upon discussions on the issue of foreign worker entry within the industries, leaders such as those in the plantation sector will not be bringing in foreign workers all at once. Instead, the recruitment will be carried out in stages according to the needs and plans of the employer.
Employers have a period of up to 18 months to bring in foreign workers after the levy payment is settled, MOHR affirmed.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) is looking for the opportunities to increase the export of manpower as well as readymade garments, textile, leather, plastic, pharmaceutical to Romania.
The Romanian ambassador Daniela Sezonov Tane, during a courtesy call on FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin recently, highlighted the potentials and opportunities of Bangladesh in Romania.
The ambassador said Romania has progressed a lot in the fields of chemical products, machinery, energy, clean energy and solar power production.
Mentioning that Romania will conduct gas exploration in the sea by 2026, Daniela called upon the business representatives of Bangladesh to visit Romania to strengthen the business relations between the two countries.
He also called for working in manpower export from Bangladesh to Romania.
The FBCCI President said there are opportunities to send more skilled manpower from Bangladesh to Romania if job opportunities with good salaries are ensured. The ministries concerned would assist in this regard.
The FBCCI president informed that Bangladesh has a huge potentials in the IT sector along with readymade garments, textile, food processing, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, plastic products, jute and jute products.
Mentioning that about 7 lakh people are involved in freelancing, Jashim said if the freelancers of Bangladesh are provided with more work orders, this sector would get a boost. The hiring companies will also be benefitted as well, he added.
Jashim also urged for working in strengthening B2B engagements between Romania and Bangladesh.
FBCCI vice president M A Momen, Md. Amin Helaly, Md. Habib Ullah Dawn, director Prity Chakraborty, secretary general Mohammad Mahfuzul Hoque, among others, were present.
