From January 24 to August 15, more than 50,000 development workers across various NGOs and INGOs in Bangladesh may lose their jobs due to the abrupt shutdown of USAID-funded projects, professionals said on Tuesday.
This follows a Stop Work Order issued by the Trump administration on January 20, effectively ending USAID’s operations worldwide, except in emergency food and humanitarian assistance sectors.
Amid growing uncertainty, affected professionals gathered for a press conference organized by the Association of Unemployed Development Professionals (AUDP) at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity, where they called for the formal recognition of their contributions to Bangladesh’s development sector.
Speakers at the conference highlighted that following the issuance of the Stop Work Order, 55 out of 59 USAID-funded projects in Bangladesh were shut down, resulting in the country losing approximately $700 million in development assistance.
Between January 31 and February 2, the icddr,b laid off 1,000 employees, said the speakers.
They added that this number has since risen to 1,500, most of whom were part of USAID’s tuberculosis program.
According to the speakers, Brac’s Bangladesh America Friendship Project saw 530 job losses, while CARE’s Community Health and Nutrition Project laid off 510 workers.
They further mentioned that the closure of USAID projects, along with the withdrawal of other donor agencies, has plunged many large and small INGOs and NGOs into severe financial crises.
As part of cost-cutting and restructuring measures, at least 10,000 core NGO employees have already lost their jobs, the speakers reported.
They warned that several thousand more development professionals are expected to be laid off in June.
Speakers also said that after August 15, around 100 Bangladeshi staff working directly for USAID Bangladesh will lose their jobs.
They added that in total, including field-level officers, more than 50,000 development workers are projected to lose their jobs.
However, in the absence of any official government data, these figures remain largely indicative, with speakers suggesting that the actual number may be even higher.
Speakers also emphasized that development professionals have significantly contributed to the national economy by paying income taxes and participating in market activities.
It is estimated that the resulting unemployment has led to a revenue loss of over Tk15 crore in income taxes alone, they said.
Alal Uddin, a member of AUDP, said: “We, the development professionals, have dedicated our lives to bringing change to others. But today, our own lives are engulfed in darkness. I do not know how I will manage my children’s education, my parents’ medical expenses, and the daily needs of my family.”
Kakoli Gomes, another member, added: “As a single mother of two daughters, I am struggling to make ends meet. My savings have nearly dried up. No one sees us. Government, please look at us. Save us.”
Zinat Ara Afroze, convener of AUDP, presented six demands on behalf of the association:
- Formal recognition of the unemployment crisis caused by the USAID cuts and the acknowledgement of the contributions made by development professionals.
- A government-led national survey to accurately determine the number of laid-off development workers, with prompt publication of the findings.
- An economic impact assessment to evaluate the broader implications of the crisis.
- Amendments to the Income Tax Act 2023 to provide tax refunds to laid-off development professionals for FY 2024–2025 and waive advance income tax for FY 2025–2026.
- Development of a National Integrated Talent Retention Strategy to create employment opportunities for laid-off professionals in the private, corporate, business, and investment sectors.
- Immediate dialogue with AUDP to explore solutions and initiate necessary actions to overcome the crisis.