Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman has placed employment generation, social protection and institutional reform at the centre of his party’s election agenda, pledging 10 million jobs, unemployment allowances and a nationwide family welfare card system if the BNP is voted to power in the 12 February general election.
In a nationally televised address on Monday, Tarique outlined the BNP’s manifesto and long-term development strategy, presenting the election as an opportunity to reset governance and rebuild public trust in state institutions after years of what he described as authoritarian rule.
He said the BNP’s priority would be restoring political rights, reviving democratic institutions and ensuring economic opportunities for young people, women, farmers and marginalised communities.
On employment, Tarique announced plans to create 10 million jobs at home and abroad through reforms in the banking, insurance, capital market and industrial sectors.
He said special emphasis would be placed on regional economic development, investment promotion and skills training to convert unemployed youth into productive human resources.
Under the proposed plan, colleges, madrasas and universities would offer free technical, freelancing and outsourcing training.
He said the information technology sector, including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data processing and semiconductor industries, would be expanded to generate 2 lakh direct and 8 lakh indirect jobs annually.
To support job seekers, Tarique pledged monthly financial allowances for educated unemployed youth for a period of six months to one year or until employment is secured.
Citing official figures, he said more than 2.7 million people are currently unemployed, including nearly 9 lakh university graduates.
In a major welfare initiative, Tarique announced that every household would receive a family welfare card issued in the name of the female head of the family. In the initial phase, low-income families would receive Tk2,500 per month or equivalent food assistance, aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment and social security.
On women’s rights, he pledged continued free education up to postgraduate level, expanded employment opportunities, women’s welfare centres at the upazila level, safe transport services, workplace day-care facilities and strict enforcement of laws against harassment and violence.
Tarique also outlined plans for agricultural reform, including a farmer card to ensure fair prices, access to information and institutional support, as well as improved wages and protections for agricultural workers.
In education, he proposed compulsory technical training from secondary level and the introduction of a third language alongside Bangla and English to enhance global employability. In healthcare, he pledged to recruit 1 lakh community health workers, most of them women, to strengthen grassroots services.
Addressing governance, Tarique said the BNP would restore constitutional order, depoliticise public institutions and ensure merit-based recruitment. He also announced plans for a “Probashi Card” to protect expatriate workers and facilitate safe migration.
Concluding his address, Tarique called for inclusive development, religious harmony and equal citizenship, urging voters to support the BNP’s vision for rebuilding Bangladesh through democratic governance and social justice.
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