Speakers at a seminar have said that soaring commodity prices in recent times have become a major challenge for the newly impoverished people. Those whose income has declined during the pandemic period are now struggling to meet their daily needs.
It is very much essential to control the price of commodities to ensure the quality of life of low income people. Cash assistance and social security programs need to be expanded if necessary to maintain purchasing power.
Speakers on Monday said this at the concluding day of a two-day conference organized by the Citizens’ Platform for SDG in partnership with Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) held at the BRAC Center in the capital under the theme ‘Bangladesh Emerging from the Pandemic, Coping Experience and Policy Choice’.
In the concluding remarks, Professor Rehman Sobhan said, “Marginalized people are struggling to survive under the influence of the pandemic. They need to be categorized so that assistance can be provided as needed.”
He said that a large number of people are victims of discrimination in various ways. One of the reasons for this is the lack of commitment and resources of the government. The government has to come up with a specific plan in this regard.
Former lead economist of the World Bank Dr. Zahid Hossain said, “Despite the signs of recovery in the economy, inflation has become a big risk. Although demand has some effect behind this, the big reason is price increase. The role of government and state in the economy must be increased.”
CPD Fellow Professor Mostafizur Rahman said, “The first impact of the pandemic like Covid-19 fell on the labor market. Highlighting the statistics of people who lost their jobs in various ways during the the period, he continued, “This class of people will not be able to return to their previous status until the labor market is functioning properly. For this, private sector investment should be encouraged.”
The first session was presided over by former president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Asif Ibrahim and the concluding session was presided over by Grameen Telecom Trust Managing Director Parveen Mahmud.
UNDP Resident Representative Sudipto Mukerjee, Executive director of SANEM Dr. Selim Raihan, Head Strategic Planner at UNDP Subhra Bhattacharjee, Penny for Many founder and President Zisan Rehman, general secretary Abdulla Al Fajsal among others were present at the programme.
