Dr Matiur Rahman :
In recent years, Bangladesh has seen a remarkable rise in digitalisation, transforming various sectors, including education, banking, and retail.
This digital transformation has accelerated with increasing access to technology, particularly smartphones and the internet, and redefines the nation’s economic landscape.
As digital tools permeate traditional industries, they are reshaping employment structures, altering workforce skill requirements, and challenging social inequalities.
However, this evolution also presents significant questions about the future of work, the skills required to thrive, and how to ensure that all segments of society benefit from these advancements.
The educational sector in Bangladesh has undergone a substantial shift towards digital platforms, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.
E-learning platforms, online courses, and digital assessments have become essential for delivering education to students nationwide.
Institutions have invested in digital infrastructure, and teachers have received training to facilitate online classes.
This shift is broadening access to education, allowing students from remote areas to access quality learning resources.
However, the digital divide—created by disparities in internet connectivity, device availability, and digital literacy—still poses a significant challenge.
Students from rural or low-income backgrounds often struggle to keep pace with those from urban, higher-income areas, exacerbating educational inequality.
Furthermore, as technology becomes more integral to the academic experience, there is a growing demand for educators skilled in digital tools and methods.
This shift is placing pressure on teachers to adapt rapidly, creating opportunities and challenges in employment and upskilling within the education sector.
The banking sector has been one of the most significantly impacted by digitalisation, with the introduction of mobile banking, digital wallets, and internet banking reshaping how Bangladeshis manage their finances.
Banks invest heavily in digital infrastructure to improve customer experience and operational efficiency.
Mobile financial services (MFS), such as bKash, Nagad, and Rocket, have revolutionised how people conduct transactions, making banking accessible even in remote areas.
This expansion has increased financial inclusion, allowing the unbanked population to access financial services.
However, the transition towards digital banking has led to a decline in demand for traditional bank tellers and in-branch service roles, as customers increasingly prefer digital platforms for their financial needs.
In response, the banking workforce is undergoing a shift, with digital skills, cyber security expertise, and data analysis abilities becoming critical for employment.
Consequently, banks are investing in training programs to equip employees with these competencies. Still, those unable to adapt may face job displacement, posing a risk to workforce stability in the sector.
Retail in Bangladesh has similarly embraced digital transformation with the rapid growth of e-commerce platforms like Daraz, Evaly, and PriyoShop.
These platforms are reshaping consumer behaviour, providing convenience, and expanding market reach for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) nationwide.
The shift to e-commerce has created new job opportunities, particularly in logistics, customer service, and digital marketing, as businesses seek to optimise their online presence and distribution channels.
However, traditional retail workers face challenges as their roles are increasingly being replaced by automation and digital transactions. To remain competitive, workers must acquire digital skills, from operating online sales systems to managing social media engagement.
This shift also impacts small retailers and shop owners who, without digital proficiency, risk being sidelined in an evolving retail ecosystem.
Therefore, the rise of digital commerce in Bangladesh is contributing to a new labour market where digital literacy is essential for success, further widening the gap between those with access to digital resources and those without.
Bangladesh’s move towards a digitally oriented economy will undoubtedly impact employment.
While digitalisation creates new roles in areas such as IT support, digital marketing, and data management, it also renders certain traditional roles redundant, potentially causing job losses in areas such as customer service and manual retail operations.
The changing job landscape is prompting a demand for technology, data analysis, and digital marketing skills.
To adapt, the workforce must pursue re-skilling and up-skilling opportunities.
However, access to quality digital education and training remains uneven, with rural and disadvantaged communities often left behind.
The digital skills gap in Bangladesh is significant. Many workers lack access to affordable training programs, creating a divide between those who can leverage digital tools and those who cannot.
This skills gap threatens to deepen social inequalities, as those who lack digital proficiency face limited employment opportunities in the digital economy.
The rise of digitalisation has also highlighted the importance of addressing social inequality. Although technology can potentially democratise access to services, it can also entrench disparities if not managed inclusively.
Digital exclusion—stemming from a lack of internet connectivity, devices, or digital literacy—affects marginalised populations, creating barriers to educational and economic advancement.
Those without access to digital resources risk being left out of new employment opportunities and essential services.
To mitigate these challenges, Bangladesh’s government and private sectors are investing in digital literacy programs, affordable internet initiatives, and infrastructure development in rural areas.
Yet, these efforts need to be scaled up significantly to bridge the digital divide and ensure that digital transformation benefits all segments of society.
Bangladesh’s digital transformation is shaping a new economic reality, bringing opportunities and challenges for the workforce. Sectors like education, banking, and retail are at the forefront of this shift, witnessing fundamental changes in how services are delivered, and work is conducted.
While digitalisation offers the potential to boost productivity, drive financial inclusion, and expand access to services, it also places immense pressure on workers to acquire new skills and adapt to changing job demands.
Bangladesh’s challenge lies in ensuring that this transition is inclusive, empowering all citizens to participate in the digital economy. By investing in digital skills training, expanding internet connectivity, and promoting equitable access to digital tools, Bangladesh can leverage digital transformation to create a more inclusive and resilient workforce poised to thrive in an increasingly digital world.
(The writer is a researcher and
development worker.)
