Manpower that is high in demand

April 21, 2009

MANPOWER export from Bangladesh of semi-skilled and unskilled workers of all categories and even of professionals like doctors and engineers are declining as a consequence of the global economic recession. However, an opportunity presents itself in the form of demand for well-trained nurses from this country. The global economic crisis has not in the least reduced the demand for nurses in the developed countries in great numbers as there is no way to shake off indispensable nursing services in their medical institutions. It is estimated that the annual vacancy rate is approximately 9 per cent for nurses in the USA and projections anticipate a shortage of 800,000 nurses by 2050.

Incentives to work in the West are high. Filipino nurses may expect to make approximately $200 per month in the Philippines. In the U.S. they may expect a salary of $50,000 to $100,000. It is estimated that Filipino nurses alone send $11 billion back home every year. Apart from salary working conditions are usually much better for the nurses. Foreign-trained nurses who meet skills and language criteria receive priority.

Thus, there are opportunities waiting also for Bangladesh in this area. Bangladeshi nurses in limited numbers are already serving with good reputation abroad. If some manpower exporting firms here take an interest in establishing training institutes for nurses of international standard, then that can fetch handsome returns in the long run. They need not be manpower exporters only. Any type of investor in the private sector can set up such institutes with an eye for their prospects in the overseas employment markets. The government can also provide training facilities to nurses for creating surplus manpower in the profession to meet the requirements of foreign countries.

Manpower that is high in demand

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