Dhaka, ILO move to deepen cooperation on labour rights

A delegation led by International Labour Organization (ILO) Country Director Max Tunon paid a courtesy call on Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain at his ministry office at 11:00am today.

During the meeting, both sides held detailed discussions on enhancing Bangladesh’s social protection system, promoting the rights and empowerment of women workers, eliminating child labour, advancing skills development, and aligning social safety programmes with international standards.

Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs are implementing extensive programmes aimed at improving the lives of marginalised communities, as well as women and children across the country. He expressed hope that collaboration with the ILO would further strengthen and make social protection programmes more effective and inclusive.

He noted that plans are underway to expand child care and day-care centres, particularly for children. The minister also sought technical assistance from the ILO in areas such as caregiver training, language education and broader skills development initiatives for women and children. He emphasised the importance of deepening cooperation with the ILO to tackle unemployment and increase women’s participation in the workforce.

The minister further highlighted priority areas including ensuring violence- and harassment-free workplaces, expanding childcare services in urban areas and across all 64 districts, developing a certified cadre of skilled caregivers in coordination with the National Skills Development Authority, increasing overseas employment opportunities for female caregivers, and accelerating efforts to eliminate child labour in Bangladesh.

ILO Country Director Max Tunon thanked the minister and reaffirmed the organisation’s continued support. He highlighted ongoing ILO initiatives such as the “Gender and Skills Taskforce” and the “Gender and Skills Action Plan”, aimed at removing structural barriers and promoting inclusive skills training and employment opportunities for women.

He also underscored the ILO’s technical assistance to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in developing the “National Childcare Roadmap” and “National Minimum Standards for Childcare”, which are considered key milestones towards establishing a universal, affordable and quality childcare system through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

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Max Tunon described the Government of Bangladesh’s initiatives in social protection and women and child development as commendable, adding that the ILO remains ready to work closely with the government to advance labour rights, gender equality and sustainable employment.

The discussions also focused on integrating ILO projects with existing social protection schemes such as family cards, old-age allowances and widow allowances, as well as ensuring safe working environments for women and eliminating child labour.

Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Yasmin Parveen, ndc, senior ministry officials and members of the ILO delegation were present at the meeting.

Both sides expressed their commitment to strengthening future cooperation and accelerating grant-based programmes aimed at social development, child protection and the development of skilled caregivers in Bangladesh.