Programme held to discuss organising job fair for backward communites in three divisions

Development advocates called for support from private business organisations aimed at reducing discrimination against Dalits, Hijras and transgenders, ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities.

At a meeting on "Inclusion of Backward Communities in Employment" held in Dhaka on Saturday, they also discussed organising job fairs for backward communities in three divisions, said a press release.

As part of a project titled "Empowerment of the People and Active Participation in the Development Process of Bangladesh", job fairs will be arranged in Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet divisions aiming to create employment opportunities for educated unemployed youth within backward communities.

In collaboration with the European Union and Christian Aid, prominent local NGOs like Citizen Initiatives, BLAST, Bandhu Social Welfare Society, and WAVE Foundation have been implementing the project since 2021. The project has emphasised capacity building and active participation of backward communities in Bangladesh's development process.

According to recent statistics, approximately 11% of Bangladesh's total population belongs to backward communities, facing relentless discrimination due to socio-economic status and physical disabilities. These hurdles affect their access to quality education and impede their pursuit of respectable professions. The majority of this population believes that dignified employment is a key factor in achieving self-reliance and economic empowerment.

Representatives from various private business organisations, development entities, and members of backward communities attended the meeting. The current employment situation for backward communities was a focal point of discussion. Representatives from backward communities shed light on the challenges they face in securing employment.

During the meeting, representatives from private businesses and development organisations put forth suggestions for promoting the inclusion of backward communities in employment. This collaborative effort underscores a collective commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable job market for all members of society.