DHAKA, March 12, 2024 (BSS) - The Economic Relations Division (ERD) today signed a grant agreement worth $24.70 million with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to advance decent work in Bangladesh.

The agreement titled ‘Advancing Decent Work in Bangladesh’ will contribute to implement the three-year project of Ministry of Labour and Employment. European Union, Denmark, Netherlands and Sweden are the resource partners of the project, said an ERD press release.

The objective of the project is to ensure more Bangladeshi men and women workers to enjoy decent work through improved policies and laws, accountable, gender responsive and inclusive labour market institutions; and sustainable business practices contributing to competitiveness of industries. The project interventions will help to fulfill the goals and targets of country’s Five-Year Plan and the SDGs in those labour issues.

Md. Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the ERD , and Toumo Poutiainen, Country Director, ILO signed the agreement. Representatives from EU, concerned Embassies, Officials of UN Wing of ERD and concerned Government agencies were present in the signing ceremony.

Since the establishment of the International Labor Organization (ILO), it has been providing financial and technical assistance to implement various development plans, including creating a working environment based on the consensus of all, bringing the government, owners and labor parties under the same platform. Bangladesh accepted the active membership of the International Labor Organization (ILO) on June 22 of 1972.

ILO supports the Government of Bangladesh’s Five Year Plans (FYPs) and contributes towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG Goal 8 to promote sustained, and inclusive economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.