The third gender is lagging behind and social inclusion can be ensured by integrating them in the production-oriented works: Bangladesh Finance Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal.

With a population of over 200,000 transgender people in the country, the Bangladesh government takes steps to ensure the socio-economic integration of the third gender. 

In its 50th Annual Budget, the government of Bangladesh provided tax incentives to the companies that will hire transgender people. “I propose to enact special tax incentives with a view to providing employment and ensuring a rise in living standards and social and economic integration of the members of the third gender,” said Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal.

According to the budget proposals, companies employing 10 per cent off total workforce as third gender people will get a 5 per cent tax rebate or refund of 75 per cent of the transgender employee’s salary, whichever is lower. 

Like in most other countries, in Bangladesh too transgender people face acute social discrimination often resorting to begging and the sex trade to survive. It was not until 2013 that trans people can legally register as the third gender in Bangladesh, the government has provided support to the group since then.