Accelerating Employability through Social Safety Net in Rural Bangladesh: Employment Generation Programme for the Poorest

This article assesses the effectiveness of the employment generation programme for the poorest (EGPP) and its impact on ensuring employment opportunities and employability of targeted beneficiaries in rural areas in Bangladesh. In particular, it examines the appropriateness of targeted beneficiaries, selection, and the impact of the programme on changing their livelihood and economic indicators. Respondents were selected from 12 unions of four districts of the Chattogram division, and data were collected using the interview method and key informant interview. First, the findings suggest that accurately selecting beneficiaries and households was a challenging task owing to inappropriate wage rates, social context and political influences. Besides, misappropriation of the selection process of beneficiaries is one of the main concerns of this programme. Second, the EGPP has improved the income levels of a significant number of beneficiaries and made a positive impact on their certain basic needs and livelihood indicators. Despite drawbacks in the implementation, the study concludes that the provision of adequate measures of employment generation programmes based on equity and geographical demands will notably contribute to ensuring the employability of the unemployed and marginalised sections of the country.