Full employment in RMG sector possible without foreign workforce: Mahdi

Prime Minister’s Labour and Employment Adviser Mahdi Amin on Sunday said Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) sector can achieve full employment without relying on foreign nationals.
“Many factories and buying houses still employ foreign nationals, while we have the talent, skills and abilities to become self-reliant,” he said.
He made the remarks at a discussion organised by the Ministry of Science and Technology at an auditorium of the NovoTheatre in the capital’s Bijoy Sarani area.
“We have the capacity to run this sector completely on our own. We have to build a sustainable education system and work culture so that our professionals can also be recruited internationally,” he said.
Terming youth employment and skilled manpower development a key government priority, Mahdi said the government wants sustainable industrial growth and increased foreign direct investment while creating more employment opportunities for young people.
“This is why we are focusing on technical education,” he added.
Highlighting the RMG sector’s role in empowering women, Mahdi said the industry has helped women from remote areas become self-reliant.
He said the sector was not only an engine of the economy but also a symbol of the country’s traditions, emotions and the sacrifices of millions of workers.
After his speech, the adviser visited stalls at the “Bangladesh Innovation Fair 2026”, where government and private institutions were participating.