Staff Reporter:
Leading economists and policymakers have called for urgent structural reforms to Bangladesh’s social security programs, stressing the need to include the urban poor and substantially increase budget allocations to curb the country’s widening income gap.
The recommendations came at a roundtable discussion titled *“National Budget and Social Security Programs in Bridging Income Inequality”* held at the National Press Club on June 26, 2025. The event was organised by the Right to Food Bangladesh (RtF) network and presided over by Mohsin Ali, General Secretary of RtF BD Network and Founder & Executive Director of WAVE Foundation.
Speakers highlighted that existing social safety nets largely focus on rural poverty, leaving significant numbers of vulnerable people in urban areas without adequate support. They also stressed that without enhanced coverage, transparency, and increased funding, income disparity will continue to grow, undermining social stability and economic progress.
The roundtable brought together experts, policymakers, and civil society representatives, who emphasised aligning social protection measures with the realities of urbanisation, climate change, and economic shocks. They urged the government to ensure that reforms are people-centric, inclusive, and capable of addressing both chronic and emerging vulnerabilities.
