The Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN), in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO)’s United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UNPRPD MPTF) and Promoting Gender Responsive Enterprise Development and TVET Systems (ProGRESS) initiatives, Access Bangladesh Foundation’s Koddi, and Save the Children, hosted the Inclusive Job Fair for Persons with Disabilities at the World Trade Center’s Exhibition Hall in Chattogram on October 31, 2024. This landmark event aimed to connect skilled individuals with disabilities to inclusive employers, marking a significant step toward equitable employment opportunities in Bangladesh.
Over 375 candidates from diverse educational and vocational backgrounds participated, engaging with 17 prominent local and international employers. The fair celebrated the potential of persons with disabilities while highlighting the private sector’s critical role in building an inclusive workforce.
Key highlights included immediate job offers to several candidates, inspiring testimonials from newly employed individuals, and recognition of participating employers for promoting disability inclusion. Distinguished guests such as Mohammad Anwar Pasha from the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Tania Sharmin from Save the Children delivered keynote speeches, underscoring the importance of inclusivity in the workplace.
This event not only empowered job seekers with disabilities but also strengthened the capacity of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) to mobilize candidates and collaborate with employers. It fostered a shift in societal attitudes, demonstrating that persons with disabilities are valuable contributors to the workforce.
The Chattogram Inclusive Job Fair set a strong foundation for long-term change in the labor market. It emphasized the need for tailored training programs, mentorship, and professional growth opportunities to create sustainable employment pathways. This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration across sectors to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.