Support to Implementation of National Action Plan on the Labour Sector of Bangladesh – Decent Work For All

Executive Summary The ILO Support for the Implementation of the National Action Plan & Roadmap project (The Project) is aimed at supporting the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) in accomplishing ILO Governing Body mandated Roadmap on the Labour Sector of Bangladesh (2021-2026) and the EU-GoB National Action Plan on the Labour Sector of Bangladesh, complementing the support provided by and in coordination with existing ILO interventions, such as the Social Dialogue and Industrial Relations Project (SDIR), the Ready Made Garment Programme Phase 2 (RMGP 2), the Better Work Child Labour Programme and the Sustainability Compact programme under Global Trade for Decent Work project. The Project result framework is set in four strategic areas (SAs), namely: 1. Enabling policy, legislative and institutional environment; 2. Credible labour administration institutions; 3. Adequate and effective protection at work for all; and 4. Inclusive decent work and sustainable and competitive enterprises. Strategic Areas 1 to 3 contribute directly to EU-GoB National Action Plan on the Labour Sector of Bangladesh actions, namely: SA1 to Action 1. Bring Bangladesh labour laws in compliance with ILO standards on freedom of association and collective bargaining; SA2 to Action 3. Combat violence against workers, harassment, unfair labour practices and anti-discrimination; Action 5. Eliminate the backlog of cases at labour courts, including in the Dhaka Metropolitan Area; Action6: Set up an efficient system to follow-up on worker’s complaints received through helpline; Action 7. Provide for new labour inspectors and ensure full functionality of labour inspectorate; Action 8. Ensure proper work for the Remediation Coordination Cell and transition to Industrial Safety Unit (ISU) /Ensuring close cooperation of the RCC/ISU with the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC); SA3 to Action 2. Eliminate child labour in all its forms by 2025 and its worst forms by 2021; and Action 9. Ratify ILO Conventions on minimum age and forced labour Protocol. SA 4 is cross-cutting and sets the basis to enhance the current work the ILO Bangladesh provides and will provide in the future through many of the projects delivering training and capacity building, including the present Project under SAs 1 to 3. To this purpose, the Project supports and scales the Learning Hub (LH) established in 2020 by Better Work Bangladesh Programme, to grow from its initial stage towards its vision of a tripartite-led national pole of excellence for the promotion of decent work in Bangladesh. Within the four SAs, four outcomes have been set, with targets to be pursued over a period of 18 months supported by the EU. Beyond the initial 18-month period, the ILO would look toward further support from the EU and other donor partners to deliver under the set strategic framework.

Project symbol

BGD/21/05/EUR

Admin unit

CO-Dhaka

Start date

17/12/2021

End date

30/06/2024

Total allocation

1014490

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

935817

Development Partners

European Commission, DG for International Cooperation, Development Cooperation Instrument

Country/Countries

Bangladesh

Outcomes

Outcome 2: Strong, representative and influential tripartite constituents and effective social dialogue
Outcome 5: Gender equality and equality of treatment and opportunities for all