Manpower export falls 46pc

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Mashiur Rahaman
The country's manpower export experienced a 46 per cent fall in 2009 compared to the previous year, showing the impact of global recession that has led to a cut-down on fresh recruitment in major job markets.
An official at the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment said overseas employment until December 30, 2009 was 4,73,022. The last working day of the year was expected to add at least another 2000, making the total number 4,75000, he said.
"In the face of global financial recession, the total number is quite satisfactory," an official at Bureau of Manpower Employment and Training (BMET) said confirming the statistics.
He said 0.4 to 0.5 million overseas employment per year is normal, claiming the year 2007 and 2008 witnessed aggressive growth that he termed 'abnormal'.
In 2008, the country's overseas employment was 8,75,055, which was 8,32,609 in 2007, BMET record shows.
Complacent about the figure of 2009, Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) president Golam Mostafa has forecast better and bright prospects in 2010.
"We are very happy with the statistics of 2009, keeping the present global financial situation in mind," the BAIRA president said.
With proactive performance by the government and Bangladesh missions in host countries, we look forward to reaching 0.7 million in manpower export and earning US$ 12 billion remittance from this sector.