Amigo: An Innovative Hyperlocal Model to Tackle Unemployment

The job market in Bangladesh is currently in a state of crisis. 2.5 million adults are currently unemployed, with 83% of them aged between 15 and 29.

Shockingly, 800,000 of these individuals possess higher education but remain jobless. Unemployment rates have steadily risen over the years, with the latest data from the World Bank showing an increase from 4.516% in 2008 to 5.06% in 2023.

Inception of Amigo

To address this crisis, Eqra Mohammad Resalat Ohee founded Amigo. Amigo strives to transform the job landscape for frontline workers by connecting skilled workers, such as sales officers, repairmen, and electricians, with employment opportunities.  Initially focusing on these roles, Amigo partners with businesses to match them with the right talent, fulfilling labour demands and providing stable employment for workers. Importantly, Amigo focuses on scouting and grooming local talent in and out of Dhaka instead of recruiting from outside areas. This model addresses the immediate needs of businesses and offers financial stability for blue-collar workers, playing a crucial role in alleviating unemployment in a country where jobs are increasingly scarce.

Growth and Expansion

Amigo employs the "Phygital" model where technology is used to onboard workers but there are physical touchpoints to ensure smooth onboarding.  Area-based recruitment thus happens from on-the-spot interviews and training but the workers remain connected through digital platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Eqra Md Resalat Ohee, CEO of Amigo clarifies, "Jobs are focused in and around Dhaka. People travel for hours wasting time and money. Amigo's approach is straightforward yet highly effective. We focus on recruiting only local talent and connecting them with local employment. We have area supervisors who are trained in recruiting people.  Job seekers often face fraud and thus the physical element helps us create a personal relationship with them. Our collaboration with businesses and repeat employment helps youth earn their livelihoods with minimum hassle even with temporary employment." In just 2 years of operation, Amigo has scaled impressively, securing more than 30 clients and establishing a presence in 25 locations across Bangladesh. The company employs over 10,000 resources, covering over 20 distinct skill sets.

Looking towards the future, Ohee says that Amigo's ambitions extend far beyond the local market. He envisions expanding the company's operations internationally. This strategic expansion aims to tap into the global job market, creating even more employment opportunities for Bangladeshi workers. By exporting skilled labour, Amigo plans to elevate the economic prospects of its employees, ensuring they are not just employable locally but globally. To achieve this, Amigo is investing heavily in training and development. The company recognizes that to compete internationally, its workforce must be exceptionally skilled and adaptable. Therefore, Amigo has started piloting comprehensive training programs designed to enhance the skills of its employees, preparing them for the demands of the global market.