The Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN) organized their largest post-COVID  National Job Fair for Persons with Disabilities on 19 February resulting in 40 participants receiving jobs offers pending successful background checks.

The job fair attracted 1200 participants with diverse educational and skills backgrounds, and 30 employers seeking to implement diversity inclusion in their workforce. Registered participants were pre-matched with prospective employers, who conducted interviews and made job offers to the 40.

Illustrative image (internet)

BBDN will continue to work with participants based on feedback provided by employers to ensure that a total of 150 persons with disabilities who participated receive job placements.

The Chief Guest and Minister for Social Welfare, Dr Dipu Moni, commended BBDN for its contributions towards ensuring no one is left behind through efforts such as the career fair that are facilitating integration of individuals with disabilities into the workforce, improving their labour force participation and promoting their economic empowerment.

“The positive impacts of BBDN's initiatives not only promote the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, but also contribute to government efforts towards tapping everyone’s skills for the country’s economic development. It is important to have more collaborative efforts and the active involvement of the private sector in fostering inclusivity for Bangladesh’s development,” Dr. Moni said.

She stressed the need to foster awareness through greater public sensitization on what persons with disability can do in order to effectively dismantle barriers and ensure they enjoy equal access to both job and skills development opportunities as well as public spaces.

Salahuddin Kasem Khan, the Chairman of the Advisory Council of BBDN said: “This National Job Fair for Persons with Disabilities marks a significant milestone in our collective journey toward a more inclusive and equitable society. As we navigate the changing landscapes of business and society, it becomes increasingly clear that diversity is not just a concept to be discussed but a reality that we must actively cultivate. This job fair, organized with precision and passion, exemplifies our dedication to creating opportunities for everyone, regardless of their abilities.”

Murteza Rafi Khan, the Chief Executive Officer of BBDN added: “Today's success is not just about a job fair, it's a step forward in dismantling barriers, changing perceptions, and building a society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, has equal access to opportunities.”

The job fair was organized in collaboration with ILO and funded jointly by the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UNPRPD MPTF) and UN Habitat, under the theme "Leave No One Behind."

The ILO’s representative, Syed Saad Hussain Gilani, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to support the government, employers’, and workers’ organizations in implementing disability inclusion policies and strategies.

“ILO stands ready to support the mainstreaming of disability rights in the world of work, which is critical for social justice and a just transition as the country prepares for LDC graduation. The ILO and BBDN are working together to harness diversity in world of work by including persons with disabilities to contribute to their individual wellbeing and the overall economic growth of the country,” he said.

ILO is the 2024 UN champion for disability.

Inclusion of PWDs in the labor market is about generating a supportive workplace where people are valued and appreciated without judgement for what they can contribute. Notably, in the absence of jobs for everyone and high unemployment rates among every segment of the population, there is a need for an awareness creation, mobilization, and sensitization of employers and investors around the competencies of PWDs and their need to socially support on an impartial basis. On the other hand, employment centers could establish stations in low-income areas to advise and support PWDs on career opportunities that are disability-friendly and partner with employers to avail information about the capabilities of PWDs. Conversely, the government should provide some tax-related benefits to employers to upsurge employer incentives for hiring PWDs and empower employers on benefits and positive culture of employing PWDs. At all times, employers should be hands-on and involve diverse stakeholders to implement current policies and frameworks in different work contexts across the country and beyond.