ILO and Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics partner to strengthen labour market insights

DHAKA (ILO News) - The surveys will be carried out with technical support from the ILO, with BBS overseeing the implementation. The collaboration between the two organizations will help bridge the gap in labour market data and statistics, which has traditionally focused on labour supply rather than demand. This partnership stems from discussions at a national dialogue on Labour Market Data & Statistics, organized by the ILO in December 2024, where the need for high-quality, standardized data and extensive collaboration between the ILO and BBS was emphasized.

The primary objectives of the surveys are to:

• Quantify employment demand across various sectors.
• Identify specific skills and qualifications that are most in demand to enable targeted workforce development.
• Anticipate future labour needs based on current demand trends.
• Analyze employment patterns and recruitment practices to understand workforce dynamics.
• Improve wage data by conducting a survey to assess minimum and living wage standards in selected sectors.

This initiative aligns with Bangladesh's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 8, which focuses on decent work and economic growth. The data collected will equip policymakers with the necessary information to design evidence-based employment policies that address sector-specific labour demands and promote job creation. The project is expected to produce a national report detailing labour demand and wage statistics, a microdata set, and infographics to improve accessibility for a wider audience.

The ILO will support the project by defining relevant labour market indicators, designing statistical frameworks, conducting training workshops for BBS personnel, and assisting with data analysis and report development.

This initiative is funded under the Advancing Decent Work in Bangladesh project by the Team Europe Initiative (EU, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Sweden) and Canada.