The project “Advancing Decent Work in Bangladesh” was officially launched on Thursday. It is a joint effort of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Government of Bangladesh (GoB).
The European Union, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden are funding the project under the Team Europe Initiative on Decent Work in Bangladesh. The project intends to provide US $ 24.7 million in funding over the following four years to assist the government’s labour sector reform pledges.
The implementation of these changes is expected to facilitate Bangladesh’s seamless departure from the Least Developed Country (LDC) classification in 2026 by promoting sustainable and competitive firms, strong governance, and the protection of fundamental principles and rights at work.
“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 Md. Nazrul Islam Chowdhury, State Minister, Ministry of Labour and Employment.
In his speech, Tuomo Poutiainen, Country Director 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 can only be safeguarded through transparent and consultative processes with workers’ and employers’ organisations”.
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.
“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 sustainable economic growth in Bangladesh,” Charles Whiteley said in response to the Government of Bangladesh’s ongoing initiatives.
