Work is online

The internet is changing the job market in ways that could only have been imagined just a few years ago. Bangladesh is the second-largest source of online workers in the world after India, according to the Oxford Internet Institute in the UK, with a market share of 16.8% of the world’s online workforce. This means jobs, and spells great news for freelancers, who can now work from anywhere as long as they have a laptop and an internet connection. ICT freelancers from Bangladesh are now working in sales and marketing support, creative multimedia, writing and translation work, clerical and data entry, and professional services. The nature of the global job market is changing, and it is good to see young people from Bangladesh keep up with these rapid changes, earning a living for themselves, and providing jobs for others. It is time for us to truly cash in on the vast opportunities of the outsourcing industry -- and this must be done through better training. Already, Bangladesh is looking like an attractive country for employers the world over, and the rising costs in China, the Philippines, and India give us an edge. Furthermore, our youth population is one of the largest in Asia, with nearly 65% of the people under the age of 25 -- these youngsters are energetic, inventive, and ready for work, and can prove themselves if given the chance. For too long, young Bangladeshis entering the job market have had to deal with dismal prospects, with doors shutting in their faces. Now, with ICT outsourcing, the horizon seems open.