Jamaat prioritises skill development over allowances in youth employment plan: Shafiqur at Satkhira rally

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman today (27 January) outlined his party’s youth employment vision, rejecting unemployment allowances and pledging a skills-based approach to create dignified work opportunities if Jamaat comes to power.

Addressing an election rally at Satkhira Boys’ High School grounds, Shafiqur Rahman described unemployment allowances as “insulting,” saying they fail to tackle the root causes of joblessness. 

“The youth do not want allowances; they want honourable work,” he added, outlining his party’s focus on skills development and dignified employment opportunities.

He said Jamaat would prioritise education, training and skills development to turn young people into productive contributors to nation-building, with the state taking responsibility for ensuring dignified employment after training. 

“We will make their hands skilled and capable. The state will stand beside them,” he added.

During the rally, the Jamaat chief also spoke on broader political and economic issues, reiterating his party’s stance against corruption and extortion. 

He said Jamaat would take uncompromising action against what he described as syndicates and looters, claiming large sums of public money had been smuggled abroad by individuals abusing political power.

Calling on voters to support change, he urged the people of Satkhira to rise against what he described as fascism and to vote “Yes” in the upcoming referendum scheduled for 12 February.

The Jamaat ameer also said his party sought friendly relations with all but would not accept domination by any force. 

“We have no master other than Allah,” he said, stressing that Jamaat would remain firm on issues of sovereignty, justice and public rights.