Budgetary allocation for youth not enough: experts at SANEM-ActionAid event

The allocations for the youths in the budget is not enough to cope with the fallout induced by the Covid-19, speakers at a webinar said today.

There is no big change in the next budget with the pandemic in mind and there are concerns about the implementation of what has been allocated for the youths, they said at the event jointly organised by the South Asian Network on Economic Modelling (Sanem) and ActionAid Bangladesh.

Addressing the programme on "National Budget 2021-22 from Youth Perspective", they also urged the government to increase the youth-oriented allocations in the budget.

The speakers also called upon the government to take steps to ensure easier access to stimulus packages for youths involved in the SME sector.

Besides, unemployment benefit should be given to youths involved in the informal sector as they do not come under the social safety net directly, they observed.

ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir: Nahim Razzaq, parliament member and convener of Young Bangla - National Youth Platform; SANEM Research Director Prof Sayema Haque Bidisha, SANEM Senior Research Associate Eshrat Sharmin and Farzeen Ferdous Alam, chairman of Oggro Ventures, among others spoke at the programme.