Decent work in Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP) 2022-2026 provides the basis for the contributions of the ILO Office, the tripartite constituents - the Government of Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF) and the National Coordination Committee for Workers’ Education (NCCWE), and other partners to advance equal opportunities for women and men to obtain decent and productive work.

The DWCP is results oriented, focused, and well-coordinated with national development frameworks such as the eighth Five Year Plan (FYP) 2020-2025, and global ones, notably the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Country Framework (UNSDCF). It was validated by the tripartite constituents on 5 February 2022 and launched on 31 March 2022.

The DWCP 2022-2026 builds on the progress, partnerships and lessons of ILO’s work in the country over the last 50 years. It contributes to post-COVID recovery and the country’s graduation from least development country (LDC) status, as well as aims to build climate resilience and to position the country for the fourth industrial revolution.

Priority 1:    Inclusive and sustainable economic development and decent work creation.
Priority 2:    Equitable human development and well-being.
Priority 3:    International labour standards and rights at work promoted; labour market governance strengthened, and social dialogue enhanced.
Priority 4:    Gender equality and ending gender-based violence.

Outcome 1 - Employment, skills, and enterprise development

    By 2026, more people in Bangladesh, particularly the most vulnerable and marginalized from all gender and social groups, and those from lagging districts, have access to and can enjoy full and productive employment and decent work opportunities resulting from responsible, inclusive, sustainable, green, and equitable economic development.

Outcome 2 - Universal social protection

   By 2026, more people, in particular the most vulnerable and marginalized, have improved access to and utilization of quality, inclusive, gender-, disability- and shock-responsive, universal and resilient social protection systems and basic social services.

Outcome 3 - International labour standards

   By 2026, more people, especially the most vulnerable, benefit from more equitable, non-discriminatory, gender responsive, participatory, accountable, labour market governance and justice, in a peaceful, tolerant society governed by the rule of law.

Outcome 4 - Women in the world of work

    By 2026, more women in the world of work benefit from improved policies, laws, and measures to reduce gender-based violence and harassment; reduce women’s disproportionate unpaid care responsibilities; increase their voice, representation and leadership; as well as increase access to gender-responsive work environments.