Jobs for 2,000 youths in Barguna, Kurigram
The government would provide employment to around 2,000 HSC-passed unemployed youths in two most poverty-ridden districts during the current fiscal year under the newly introduced 'National Service' programme.
Sources in the youth and sports ministry said the youths would receive daily allowance of Tk 100 during a three-month training period. After completion of the training, the youths may be given Tk 200 per day as salary when they are given job.
According to a government concept paper, a total of 1.39 lakh HSC and equivalent examination passed youths are currently unemployed throughout the country.
Based on the concept paper of the finance ministry, the youth and sports ministry has been processing a proposal for finalisation of the National Service.
Sources said the proposal would very soon be sent to the cabinet for approval.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith in his budget speech said for the time being the work would start in Barguna and Kurigram districts as a pilot project. He said it would be expanded to other districts in phases.
The minister said the youths would be provided with a three-month training through 125 youth training centers. The youths would be employed in different jobs after completion of the training for the next two years.
Sources said two most poverty-stricken districts have been chosen for the pilot project.
Nine upazilas of Kurigram district--Bhurungamari, Char Rajibpur, Chilmari, Phulbari, Kurigram Sadar, Nageswari, Rajarhat, Ulipur and Roumari--and five upazilas of Barguna--Amtoli, Bamna, Barguna Sadar, Betagi and Pathorghata--have been included in the pilot project.
In Barguna 653 youths and in Kurigram 1,335 youths would be selected for employment under the programme.
According to the latest labour force survey, the number of unemployed workable males and females between 15 and 29 years is 1.73 crore.
However, the government concept paper said the number of HSC and equivalent examination passed youths is around 1,39,230 in 2009. The government thinks that 70 per cent of the youths may be interested to take jobs under the National Service scheme making the total number of interested youths 98,000.
Finance ministry sources said Tk 1,905 crore will be needed for providing employment to 98,000 youths for two years.
The source said the government, considering its financial capability and to monitor effectiveness of the project, has allocated Tk 20 crore in this fiscal year's budget for the purpose.
According to the draft proposal, 16 types of work are being considered for the youths after completion of the training. The work includes computer training in secondary classes, assisting in giving lessons in primary and secondary educational institutions, collecting statistics/information related to education, assisting the beneficiaries of healthcare, developing communication between the service provider and recipients, helping implementation of the government decision regarding fertiliser, seed and diesel, working as community police to provide security to local people, cautioning people against natural disasters and providing assistance to the local administration in post-disaster rescue and rehabilitation.
Sources said the recruited youths would be given training through nine modules to enable them to discharge their duties. Their appointment in the National Service would be cancelled if they get any other job at home or abroad.
Finance ministry sources said it is a challenge to determine whether the youths to be recruited are unemployed and educated up to the required level. However, the sources said the ministry would recruit them through extensive scrutiny.
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