Unemployment is a global issue. It disturbs the governments all over the world, in both the rich and poor countries. However, this can be far more a critical problem in lower income countries like Bangladesh. The author of this book, eminent economist and a leading development thinker turned practitioner, sheds light on various dimensions of un- and underemployment, with a focus on Bangladesh. Most of the articles between the two covers of the book are the outcomes of analyses of various intensive surveys over large areas of the country at different times. So, just not the theoretical perceptions that deal with market dynamics, which usually operate within the cerebral tracks of conventional economists, but the realities on the ground have been at the centre of attention of Dr Ahmad’s book. What is more important is that he has been largely interested in the results of the surveys conducted in the rural economy, including in farm and non-farm sectors/non-crop activities, keeping theoretical issues in focus. Dr Ahmad has given persistent attention to the status of women in the economy and their development. So, the employment and value of female labour that silently yet materially contributes to family income has come under discussion. However, the survey results are not just placed in tables, they are many though, the author reviews the relevant policies and state programmes along with the realities revealed by the surveys to find solutions to the problems of under- and unemployment. And he suggests that priority should be given to appropriate technology and rural industrial development in Bangladesh, supported by a conducive macro context. The articles have been written over a long period of time. But, in a recent article, Dr Ahmad has discussed a new contemporary programme of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, known as ENRICH, which, if adopted generally, can offer a good way forward in relation to productive employment generation, poverty alleviation and sustained socio-economic progress.
