“It does not matter how suited and booted you are when you go to the government office for any task. They do not care.”
This was a response from one of my former colleagues from a research institution where I once worked. He told me this after his several failed attempts to get approval for his project at a government office.
He also expressed his regret for not trying to take a government job rather than being a researcher as he did not get any recognition for his profession -- be it to government employees or society at large, including the family.
In the pursuit of a prosperous and inclusive society, it is imperative to address the persistent problem of inequality in the recognition of various professions. In Bangladesh, this issue has resulted in a disproportionate focus on government jobs, contributing to elevated unemployment rates among educated individuals.
According to a 2017 BIDS report, there was a significant 66% unemployment rate among graduates in the country, coupled with a restricted exploration of alternative career opportunities. It is high time we acknowledged the importance of recognizing and valuing all professions equally, irrespective of their sector or field of work.
The issue of inequality among professions can be comprehensively understood through the theoretical framework of Dual Market Theory (Doeringer and Piore, 1975). This theory posits the existence of two distinct segments within a labour market: Primary and Secondary labour market.
The primary sector comprises stable jobs with higher wages, job security, and ample opportunities for career advancement. Conversely, the secondary or peripheral labour market encompasses jobs characterized by lower wages, temporary or part-time employment, limited benefits, and minimal job security.
This theory not only elucidates the existence of these two segments within the labour market but also sheds light on the disparities that prevail between them. By analyzing labour market dynamics through the lens of Dual Market Theory, we gain valuable insights into the unequal distribution of opportunities and resources among various professions.
For example, In Bangladesh, youths account for 28% of the population. The youth need to be utilized properly to capitalize on the demographic dividend.
However, instead of leveraging their potential after completing graduation and post-graduation, many of them focus on preparing for government jobs, which require at least an additional three years of preparation.
For example, the recruitment process for a BCS, conducted by BPSC, entails completing preliminary, written, and viva examinations, which collectively take almost three years to finish.
Now the question could be asked: Why do educated young individuals, rather than pursuing careers in the private sector, development sectors, or starting their own ventures, opt for highly competitive public sector jobs?
In all fairness, why should they not be? This trend has been shaped by the prevailing system of inequality.
One of the key contributors to the inequality in our job market lies in the disparity of social status and prestige associated with government jobs compared to other professions.
Government employees receive elevated societal recognition, and their positions are perceived as prestigious and highly desirable given their high pay scale, job security, position power, social status, and recognition.
On the flip side, development sector workers, researchers, private sector employees, NGO workers, and entrepreneurs, which can be considered part of the secondary labour market, find themselves lacking similar social acknowledgment and appreciation.
This is because of these sectors’ limited job security, where terminating an employee is a matter of an email, limited benefits, and often low wages. Disturbingly, it is not uncommon for months of unpaid labour to culminate in termination, a reality shared by those in sectors like marketing.
This disparity in recognition not only discourages students from venturing into non-governmental professions but also undermines the potential for job creation and innovation in various sectors.
The skewed emphasis on government jobs creates a lopsided job market, resulting in an oversupply of candidates vying for limited positions. Consequently, unemployment rates among educated individuals continue to soar.
Addressing this issue in Bangladesh requires a multifaceted approach. Enhancing job security and establishing stronger labour laws can provide much-needed protection for workers in the secondary labour market.
This includes regulations that ensure timely payment of wages and benefits, as well as mechanisms to prevent arbitrary terminations.
This can be done with coordinated effort involving multiple stakeholders like government authorities, labour unions and advocacy groups, employers and industry associations, international organizations, civil society, academic and research institutions.
Furthermore, the government must play a proactive role in rectifying this inequality. Efforts should be directed towards recognizing the significance and contribution of professionals across sectors, encouraging diversity in career choices, and promoting entrepreneurship as a viable option.
Government institutions should treat researchers, private sector employees, NGO workers, and entrepreneurs with the same respect and dignity that is afforded to government employees.
Also, the government must focus on privatization as it may reduce professional inequality. For example, In the United States, government jobs are not seen as being as prestigious or secure as they are in Bangladesh. This is partly because the private sector is much larger in the United States, and there are many more opportunities for high-paying jobs in the private sector.
Moreover, comprehensive career guidance and counseling services must be strengthened to raise awareness among students about the vast array of opportunities available outside the realm of government jobs.
By showcasing success stories and role models from diverse professions, students can be inspired to explore alternative paths and pursue careers that align with their passions and talents.
Recognizing all professions as equally valuable is not only essential for the overall growth of the country but also for individual empowerment and fulfillment. Encouraging a culture that respects and celebrates the contributions of professionals from different sectors will foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation, ultimately reducing unemployment rates and driving sustainable development.
By fostering an environment that values professionals from all sectors, we can unleash the potential for a vibrant and inclusive job market that offers opportunities for all, while simultaneously promoting a culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal progress. It is time to recognize and celebrate the value of all professions for the betterment of our nation as a whole.
Md Sohrab Hossen, Senior Research Assistant, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University. Email: Sohrab.hossen.r@gmail.com. Md Obaidullah, Research Assistant, Center for Advanced Social Research, Dhaka. Email: buobaidullah@gmail.com.