Bangladesh’s Adviser for Labor, Employment, and Shipping, Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hussain, held a bilateral meeting with US Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith E. Sonderling yesterday on the sidelines of the International Labour Conference at the ILO Headquarters. The discussions focused on bolstering collaboration in the labor sector, safeguarding workers’ rights, ensuring safe working environments, and fostering skill development, according to an official handout.
A key focus of the meeting was the exploration of joint initiatives aimed at improving working conditions and ensuring fair wages within Bangladesh’s crucial ready-made garment (RMG) sector.
Chief Adviser Hussain provided a detailed overview of the extensive labor reform program currently being implemented by the Bangladesh government. He highlighted recent advancements, including the accelerated amendment of labor laws, streamlined processes for trade union registration, and a strengthened labor inspection system. He affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring fair wages, conducive working conditions, and comprehensive benefits such, as compensation for workplace incidents and maternity leave across all sectors.
The Chief Adviser also noted that, under new regulations, large construction companies failing to deposit their dividend money into the central fund as mandated will be barred from participating in government procurement processes. He underscored the Bangladesh government’s relentless efforts to cultivate a safe, sustainable, and equitable working environment across all industrial sectors, including RMG, ship-breaking, and construction.
Furthermore, Dr. Hussain drew attention to Bangladesh’s significant youth demographic and the burgeoning employment opportunities within the country’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. He highlighted Bangladesh’s prominent position in online jobs and freelancing, noting various government and private sector initiatives aimed at youth skill development and job creation.
US Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith E. Sonderling reportedly commended Bangladesh’s progress in the labor sector and expressed the United States’ interest in providing necessary technical assistance to support these ongoing efforts.
Present at the meeting were Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment AHM Shafiquzzaman, Chairman of BEPZA Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, and Permanent Representative of the Bangladesh Mission to Geneva Tareq Md. Ariful Islam.
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