Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, a large number of young people are facing challenges in education and employment. At this time, it is the moral responsibility of the state to stand by young people, especially the young women who have lost their jobs and become unemployed.
The speakers stated this at an exchange meeting of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and business representatives in Barisal. The speakers also called for government initiatives as well as the introduction of internships in privately owned institutions to enhance the skills and ensure the employment of the youth.
In collaboration with Global Platform Bangladesh and ActionAid, Model Youth Parlament organized an exchange of views with Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and businessmen on ‘Youth Unemployment and Financial Insecurity: Young Women in the Spotlight’. The program was organized on Saturday (November 26) at the Bengal Biscuits Auditorium in BSIC Industrial City, Kaunia, Barisal
The discussion was presided over by Abdur Rahman, Factory Manager, Bengal Biscuits Limited. Jalis Mahmud was the chief guest. Among others, SM Arafat Shahriar, Assistant Director, Quality Assurance Cell, Barisal University, Abu Hassan, Nazmun Nahar Rina, Representative of Bangladesh Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Mukti Bala, Ibrahim Khan, Managing Director, GIB Agro Limited, Mintu Thai Aluminum. Mintu Hawladar, Al-Mamun Plastic owner. Babul Hossain Pratiki Youth Parliament Chairperson. Aminul Islam, Manager Jubayer Islam, Member Sabbir Hasan, and others. Sohanur Rahman, Executive Director of Model Youth Parliament presented the keynote address of the program.
Speaking as the chief guest, Deputy General Manager of Barisal BSCIC Md. Jalis Mahmud said Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) would provide loans to unemployed youth and young women trained under the ‘Bangabandhu Youth Loan’ program adopted by Karmasangsthan Bank in the year of Mujib. Karmasangsthan Bank has launched a program titled ‘Bangabandhu Youth Loan’ to celebrate the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Under the program, 2 lakh trained unemployed youths will be given unsecured loans on easy terms and low interest. To this end, a memorandum of understanding has been signed between BSCIC and Employment Bank. Unsecured loans ranging from a minimum of Tk 20,000 to a maximum of Tk 5 lakh will be given to young people trained from BSIC (18-35 years old) at 9 percent simple interest. He emphasized on the various opportunities available to training providers including BSIC and to increase the campaign for bank loans.
