In the global market, where demand for skilled manpower is rising, Bangladesh possesses an untapped resource that could bring in billions of dollars: hair-cutting salon workers.
Despite the increasing demand for these professionals in various countries, the authorities in Bangladesh seem to have overlooked the immense potential of this industry.
According to sources, hair-cutting professionals are highly sought after in regions such as the Middle East and Europe.
However, stakeholders argue that the officials in Bangladesh have not given due attention to exploring and capitalizing on these opportunities.
The Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA), the main stakeholder in exporting manpower, revealed that they usually collect visas in bulk from importing countries.
However, their role in sending specialized categories of skilled individuals remains minimal.
BAIRA members allege that officials in Bangladeshi embassies abroad, particularly in the labour wing, neglect their responsibilities of seeking opportunities for salon workers.
Leaders of BAIRA pointed out that country like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Bahrain have a significant demand for Bangladeshi hair-cutting salon workers.
They argue that BAIRA members face limitations in collecting demands for these workers and emphasize the crucial role of Bangladeshi embassy officials in expanding this market.
The Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training (BMET) acknowledged the lag in exporting salon workers and assured that it would be given priority.
In addition, salon owners’ within Bangladesh have also highlighted the vast potential for revenue generation through the export of salon workers.
The government’s initiation of exporting salon workers could lead to the creation of skilled manpower from this sector.
The untapped potential of exporting hair-cutting salon workers abroad represents a lucrative opportunity for Bangladesh.
With the right initiatives and support from relevant authorities, the country could tap into this goldmine, contributing significantly to its economy and providing skilled employment opportunities for its workforce.
