The Bangladesh government and the International Labour Organization on Thursday jointly launched the ‘Advancing Decent Work in Bangladesh’ project in an aim to improve workers’ rights, uphold fundamental labor standards, ensure safe working conditions, and bolster sustainable business practices through support to governmental, workers’, and employers’ organizations.

The project would support the implementation of the government’s labour sector reform commitments.

These reforms would support good governance, safeguarding of fundamental principles and rights at work, and sustainable and competitive enterprises – all of which are crucial for Bangladesh’s smooth transition from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026.

According to an ILO press release, the project, with funding of $24.7 million over the next four years, is part of the Team Europe Initiative on Decent Work in Bangladesh, supported by the European Union, Denmark, the Netherland, and Sweden.

‘We are committed to playing our part in supporting social justice, in promoting labour reforms in Bangladesh, and securing decent work for men and women in all industries and sectors of the economy,’ said state minister for labour Md Nazrul Islam Chowdhury.

Labour Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain highlighted Bangladesh’s recent election as a member of the Governing Body of the ILO, stating that ‘this demonstrates our strong commitment and to further advance reform initiatives in relation to ensure the welfare of our workers and decent workplace for them.’

Tuomo Poutiainen, country director of ILO, highlighted the importance of effective tripartism to support a smooth transition from LDC status in 2026, stating that fundamental principles and rights at work could only be safeguarded through transparent and consultative processes with workers’ and employers’ organizations.

Team Europe was represented by Charles Whiteley, Ambassador of the European Union; Alexandra Berg von Linde, Ambassador of Sweden; Anders Karlsen, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Denmark; and Thijs Woudstra, Head of Cooperation, Embassy of the Netherlands.

In their respective remarks, they highlighted key reform areas vital to uphold labour rights and support Bangladesh’s continued global market competitiveness after the LDC graduation.

‘We welcome the Government’s commitment to labour reforms, and we are eager to support these efforts in creating new success stories in the crucial few years to come – stories of decent work uplifting individuals, strengthening communities, and driving a sustainable economic growth in Bangladesh,’ Charles Whiteley said.

Canadian High Commissioner Lilly Nicholls announced that Canada would join the Advancing Decent Work initiative through a complementary project, pending the Government of Bangladesh’s approval.

Once officiated, this will further amplify the labour sector reforms, while also introducing additional support for the employment injury scheme pilot in the garments sector, the envoy said.

Representatives from workers’ and employers’ organizations attended the event, including Chowdhury Ashiqul Alam, member secretary of the National Coordination Committee of Workers Education (NCCWE), and Ardashir Kabir, President of the Bangladesh Employers Federation (BEF).

They expressed their support and commitment to the project, emphasizing the importance of ongoing social dialogue among all tripartite constituents in the labor reform process.