Severe manpower crisis hampers business services

At a time when the government sets target to increase industries contribution to GDP to 40% by 2027 and working on massive industrialization to generate employment, country’s business community are being deprived of proper services due to acute shortage of manpower in service providing organisations under the Ministry of Industries.

Several organizations, established to provide services to business people, under Ministry of Industries are being operated with low manpower.

Latest data showed, more than one-third of the required manpower are vacant, according to the latest annual report of the ministry.

The crisis is hurting the government agency’s ability to provide crucial services to businesses during a period of economic volatility, business leaders claimed.

According to Industries Ministry Annual Report, in total, 34.29% or 12,120 positions in all organisations under the ministry currently remain vacant.

At present, there are 23,231 people working at the ministry and its associated organisations, while the required manpower is 35,351.

At the ministry, 27 positions out of 240 are currently vacant. The number of vacancies is over 11,000 at several organisations operating under the ministry.

Impacts of manpower shortage The lack of manpower at the organisations is already hampering services to businesses.

President of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) Anwar-Ul Alam Chowdhury said, “Businessmen are facing difficulties in getting services. Many are not getting services on time due to complications and complex processes.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Rizwan Rahman said entrepreneurs are not getting all the necessary services for setting up new factories and operating industries. This is because of shortage of manpower.

Services, we are getting from the concerned organizations under Industries Ministry are less than 30 per cent. In some cases, services are being delayed unusually, said Rahman.

The business leader said lack of proper services has been holding back the implementation of leather industrial estate located in Savar. The same reason is also staunching industrialisation progress in other industrial cities.

SME entrepreneurs are not getting the necessary service support. To increase the contribution of the industries to GDP and create more employment, the government should fill the vacant posts without any delay, he added.

Vacancies

According to the annual report of the ministry, among the organisations operating under MoI, the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) has 1,552 vacancies out of 12,254 approved positions. The state-owned corporation is playing an essential role in meeting the country’s fertiliser demand.

The Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC), in charge of the country’s sugar production, is currently lacking manpower at 8,513 positions out of 17,263. The Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC) has 611 vacancies out of a total 1,254 positions.

The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) that provides comprehensive support services to the small, rural, and cottage industry, and plays a pivotal role in the economy is also suffering from a manpower crisis. Out of its total 2,414 positions, there are currently 801 vacancies.

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), the agency responsible for controlling the standards of goods and services in the country, is lacking employees in 278 positions out of 674.

The Small and Medium Enterprise Foundation (SMEF) that provides training and financing to small entrepreneurs, has only 153 government approved positions. Out of this, there are 87 vacancies at the organisation currently. Lacking in over half of its required manpower, the organisation is struggling to provide necessary services to entrepreneurs.

Among other organisations under the ministry, there are 78 vacancies at the Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Center (BITAC) has, 65 at the Bangladesh Institute of Management, 44 at the Office of The Chief Inspector of Boilers, 43 at the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, 18 at National Productivity Organization, and 7 vacancies at the Bangladesh Accreditation Board.

Digitalisation and upskilling recommended

Business leaders and experts have recommended that authorities take a digital approach in providing services and upskill the manpower to tackle such crises.

If services are provided using an integrated and digital system, businesses will be able to avail them even without enough manpower, said BCI President Anwar-Ul Alam.

He also called for providing fast services to businesses by ensuring a skilled manpower to aid the development of the industrial sector.

Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) Executive Director Dr M Abu Eusuf said the services of all ministry-related organisations should be ensured for the development of entrepreneurs. Skilled and trained manpower is needed to provide good service.

He said, “It is not possible to provide proper service with existing manpower. The government needs to focus on the issue.

“Good services to entrepreneurs will lead to development. If one stop service can be launched properly to that end by involving the stakeholders, it will play a big role in creating and developing entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs will benefit from direct services.”

He suggested ensuring services by appointing manpower up to the upazila level. That will help SME entrepreneurs in remote areas of the country.

Meanwhile, DCCI President Rizwan said, “The industries ministry needs to come out of the mindset of doing its business on its own and take steps to increase services to private sector entrepreneurs.

He called for privatising loss-making industries operating under the ministry.

He also urged for proper human resource audit and performance audit of the ministry and organisations operating under it to boost their working capacity.

Besides, he said authorities need to focus on steadily reducing the manpower shortage and increasing competence to ensure quick

service providing.

“The [situation] will not be resolved unless accountability is established to ensure services in the industrial sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, industries ministry officials said steps have already been taken to fill up the vacant positions.

“The manpower declined amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Many went to retirement during the period creating vacancies,” said Zanendra Nath Sarker, additional Secretary (Admin, Quality Control & Business Facility), Ministry of Industries.

He said steps have been taken to appoint manpower for ensuring services to entrepreneurs.

“Recruitment process has begun in organisations lacking the most manpower- BSCIC, BSTI and BCIC. Once the recruitment is complete, their ability to provide services will multifold.”