Civil society demands job creation as top priority in manifestos
Staff Reporter :
Representatives of civil society and environmental organizations have strongly urged all political parties to include “employment and entrepreneurship development” as a national priority in their manifestos for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, scheduled for February 12, 2026.
At an open dialogue held on Thursday at the Green Business Lounge in Purana Paltan, speakers warned that with nearly 63% of the population being youth, the failure to transform this vast manpower into an active workforce would lead to an “inevitable social and economic crisis.”
The event was jointly organized by Greentech Foundation Bangladesh, Green Community Entrepreneur Club, and Inter Press Network.
Demographic Dividend: A Blessing or a Curse?
Presenting the keynote paper, Lutfar Rahman, Executive Director of Greentech Foundation Bangladesh, emphasized the urgency of utilizing the country’s demographic dividend. “Two-thirds of our population are young. This is a massive blessing, but if political parties do not present time-bound, realistic action plans in their manifestos, this potential could turn into a national burden,” he said.
He noted that despite overall economic growth, youth unemployment and “skill mismatch”—where graduates lack the specific skills required by industries—remain critical challenges.
Structural Reforms and ‘Green Jobs’
The Chief Guest, a former Secretary and former Rector of the BCS Administration Academy, criticized the current educational landscape. “Out of 174 universities in Bangladesh, only 50 are technical. What are the other 124 producing? Are we simply running factories for the unemployed?” he questioned. He urged political parties to present a clear roadmap for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reforms and to focus on “Green Jobs” to tackle climate change challenges.
Calls for 1% Interest Rate and Application Fee Waivers
Rezaul Karim Babu, Country Director of HOPE’87, placed two specific demands for the youth. “The interest rate for loans from the Employment Bank (Karmasangsthan Bank) should be reduced to 1% for entrepreneurs.
Furthermore, the practice of charging job application fees via postal orders or pay orders must be abolished. It is an injustice to collect money from the unemployed for the sake of an application,” he argued.
Bureaucratic Red Tape and Development Disparity
Speakers also highlighted the struggles of women entrepreneurs and regional imbalances. Rumana Yasmin, a female entrepreneur, shared her frustration regarding bureaucratic hurdles. “Our educated youth are forced to work as drivers abroad because they don’t find dignity or fair pay at home. When we try to start a business, the sheer volume of paperwork and administrative delays kills our dreams,” she said.
Gazi Anwar, President of Inter Press Network, pointed out the budget disparity in coastal regions. “People in coastal areas are losing their homes to river erosion and becoming slum dwellers in cities because there is no specific climate-related allocation for them. This development disparity must end,” he stated.
A Call for Political Will and Policy Continuity
The dialogue concluded with a unanimous call for political accountability. Altaf Hossain, President of the Community Entrepreneur Club, remarked that growth is not sustainable without job creation.
Participants lamented that while parties make grand promises before elections, they often fail to implement them. They cited the need for 100-year strategic planning—similar to developed nations—to ensure that a change in government does not lead to the cancellation of vital development projects.
The dialogue was attended by economists, journalists, environmentalists, and youth representatives, who collectively urged that the next government must treat entrepreneurship as the backbone of the national economy.