Bangladesh and ILO to work together on labour reforms, social protection

International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister's Office at the Secretariat on Monday (July 20).

At the outset of the meeting, the ILO Director-General congratulated Tarique Rahman on assuming office as Prime Minister. He said that the international community's confidence in Bangladesh has been further strengthened following the assumption of office by a government elected through direct popular vote. In this context, ILO is keen to further strengthen its long-standing partnership with Bangladesh and will continue to work closely with the government on labour sector development .

In response, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman thanked the ILO for its continued cooperation. He said the government attaches the highest importance to protecting workers' rights, ensuring safe working environments and implementing international labour standards .

The ILO Director-General also congratulated the Prime Minister on the election of Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman as President of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly . He described this achievement as an important recognition of Bangladesh's diplomatic capability and acceptance on the international stage. He also praised the government's other diplomatic successes in the international arena within a short period of time .

The ILO Director-General said the government's ongoing reforms in the labour sector and Bangladesh's sincerity in implementing international labour standards are being viewed positively internationally .

The meeting discussed social security for workers, skills development, increasing employment opportunities and building a skilled workforce to meet the changing demands of the global labour market. Both sides also exchanged views on the progress of the readymade garment sector, workplace safety, development of the informal labour market and Bangladesh's achievements in implementing international labour standards .

Emphasis was also placed on strengthening cooperation to further advance ongoing labour sector reform activities between the government and the ILO .

Additionally, discussions were held on ensuring the rights and welfare of migrant workers, establishing a safe and orderly migration system and increasing cooperation in skills development for workers going abroad .

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a worker-friendly and sustainable working environment. In turn, the ILO Director-General expressed the organisation's resolve to further expand existing cooperation with Bangladesh and work jointly on labour sector development .

The courtesy meeting was attended by Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, the Prime Minister's Adviser for Labour and Employment Mahdi Amin, Labour and Employment Ministry Secretary Md Abdur Rahman Tarafdar, Foreign Ministry Director General (UN) Md Kamruzzaman, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen and Senior Adviser to the Director-General at ILO Headquarters, Geneva Hitomi Nakagome.