Footwear industry struggles for unskilled workforce

Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh footwear industry has a bright future as it is the 8th largest footwear producer in the world and second largest import earners of the country, said eminent shoe manufacturers on Friday.
But for better productivity, it requires technological know-how and change of mindset, they said.
The observation came at the Session of ‘4S Advance Footwear Expert Meetup 2022’ jointly organised by BD Fairs, TISM Consulting and Limex at the Lakeshore hotel in the capital. Syed Nasim Manzur, Managing Director of the Apex Footwear Ltd, Ziaur Rahman, Managing Director of Bay Footwear, and Hasnat Marshal, Managing Director of MAF Shoes Ltd were present on the occasion. They also said top down management system in footwear industry is a major impediment. As a result, solutions do not come from the young. Syed Nasim Manzur said, the productivity is still low in this sector because we don’t know how to run the machines properly.
He said skilled manpower with better remuneration is important factors to increase quality products.
He also emphasised on the inclusion of women in management system and manufacturer level, otherwise this sector will collapse.