Overseas recruitment rises 14pc in Q1

Overseas recruitment rebounded in the first quarter of 2011 due to opening of new employment opportunities in the Middle East, even as the region is hit by waves of democratic reform. According to the Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET), a total of 153,933 Bangladeshis have secured jobs abroad during this January to April, marking a 14 per cent increase over the same period of the previous year. The number was 134,787 at the same time last year. The number of employments in this April increased to 43,002, from 35,647 in last April. The BMET data showed that around 32,924 went abroad for jobs in this January, 33,403 in February, and 44,604 in March. The BMET officials said the new figures show a dramatic upward turn in migration, at a time when the major employers of the Middle East are hit by a democratic uprising. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) made the half of the new recruitments, as its construction industry became vibrant again after one of the worst global economic meltdowns in 2008-9. "During the period, Saudi Arabia opened its door, and the UAE and Jordan created new opportunities for Bangladeshi manpower," said Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) president Abul Bshar. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Oman and Lebanon made the major portion of the recruitment, totalling 116,482. The officials said the number of employment decreased during the last couple of years due to global recession, and ban on manpower import by some of the major destinations of the Bangladeshi manpower. "But the sector is recovering from these problems in the recent months, due to various initiatives of the government, including market diversification programme," they added. "The employment opportunities will be increased further in the next two months, as a number of jobs will be created in Saudi Arabia," said Mr Basher. The BAIRA president also added that they are working to increase employment opportunities in the overseas markets, but the Bangladeshi missions should also take proper initiatives in this regard.