Impact Of Trade Liberalisation On Employment In Bangladesh

The present study has examined the changes in the employment scenario of Bangladesh following the pursuance of the trade liberalisation strategy and the possible effects of further trade liberalisation. The study has first reviewed the tariff reforms pursued in Bangladesh and traced the dynamics of changes in the relevant correlates since the early 1980s. Based on an examination of the speed of change in the major trade liberalisation related correlates and indicators, four phases of reform process in Bangladesh were identified with a view to subsequently establishing the interface and impact of the trade liberalisation with the country’s labour market dynamics. With this in mind the study reviewed the change in structure of employment in formal and informal sectors of Bangladesh during the pre and postliberalisation period. A number of tools and techniques were used to establish the linkage and estimate the impact of trade liberalisation on employment.