Training scopes in hospitality industry emphasised for overseas employment
Thursday, 25 September 2008
FE Report
Speakers at a consultation underscored the need for setting up a task force to examine and make policy recommendations to shore up training opportunities in hospitality industry in Bangladesh. They also called for recognition of the industry as a service sector.
The observations were made at a consultation titled 'Opportunities and challenges for employment in the hospitality industry' organised by the Dhaka University-based Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) under the auspices of DRC on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty.
In their keynote presentation, Margaret Appiah of the University of Ghana and CR Abrar of Dhaka University highlighted the burgeoning global demand for employment in the hospitality sector.
They cited ILO figures that in 2007, this sector accounted for more than 10 per cent of global GDP. The surge in economies of Asia Pacific region and in India had been accompanied by massive developments in the hospitality industry in these regions, they noted. The industry created opportunities for labour of all kinds ranging from unskilled porters to the highly skilled managers and chefs.
The speakers argued that through adoption of appropriate policies, Bangladesh could avail access to this important labour market. They also called for massive investment in tourism and hospitality industries, in infrastructure and human resource development.
Akku Chowdhury of Transcom Foods drew attention to the immense contribution that hotels and restaurants made by securing 15 per cent VAT from the clients that directly went to the government coffer.
Speakers at a consultation underscored the need for setting up a task force to examine and make policy recommendations to shore up training opportunities in hospitality industry in Bangladesh. They also called for recognition of the industry as a service sector.
The observations were made at a consultation titled 'Opportunities and challenges for employment in the hospitality industry' organised by the Dhaka University-based Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit (RMMRU) under the auspices of DRC on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty.
In their keynote presentation, Margaret Appiah of the University of Ghana and CR Abrar of Dhaka University highlighted the burgeoning global demand for employment in the hospitality sector.
They cited ILO figures that in 2007, this sector accounted for more than 10 per cent of global GDP. The surge in economies of Asia Pacific region and in India had been accompanied by massive developments in the hospitality industry in these regions, they noted. The industry created opportunities for labour of all kinds ranging from unskilled porters to the highly skilled managers and chefs.
The speakers argued that through adoption of appropriate policies, Bangladesh could avail access to this important labour market. They also called for massive investment in tourism and hospitality industries, in infrastructure and human resource development.
Akku Chowdhury of Transcom Foods drew attention to the immense contribution that hotels and restaurants made by securing 15 per cent VAT from the clients that directly went to the government coffer.