City Desk :
Daffodil International University (DIU) on Saturday hosted a press conference titled “Bridging the Skills Divide: Addressing Foreign Labor Dependence and Workforce Shortages in Key Sectors of Bangladesh” at the Daffodil Projar Dipti Auditorium, Dhanmondi.
The event featured remarks from Registrar Dr. Nadir Bin Ali, Director of External Affairs Prof. Dr. Syed Mizanur Rahman, Career Development Center Director Mohammad Manzurul Haque Khan, and Lead Researcher Dr. Tanvir Abir, who also delivered the keynote presentation.
Over the past decade, Bangladesh has maintained a steady GDP growth rate exceeding 6per cent, unlocking new opportunities for economic development. However, the country’s transition from an agrarian to industrial economy faces serious challenges due to a shortage of skilled local professionals in high-growth sectors like textiles, IT, finance, and pharmaceuticals. Consequently, Bangladesh increasingly depends on foreign workers, with nearly half a million foreign professionals currently employed in mid- and high-level roles.
The research led by Dr. Tanvir Abir highlights a major disconnect between the growing number of university graduates and the industry-required technical knowledge, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Key findings include:
– Sectoral skill gaps in textiles, IT, finance, and pharmaceuticals
– Employer preference for foreign professionals due to superior technical expertise and adaptability
– Urgent need for hands-on training, stronger industry-academia collaboration, and curriculum modernization
– Local graduates’ preparedness scoring an average 2.72 out of 4, below industry expectations
– Policy recommendations emphasizing a national skill development framework, gender equality, and retention incentives for local talent
Economic Impacts outlined in the study stress that reducing dependence on foreign labor can save billions in remittance outflows and boost productivity.
