Inequality is one of the biggest developmental challenges for Asia and the Pacific, International Labour Organization's visiting Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Chihoko ASADA-MIYAKAWA said on Monday.
Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF) hosted the ILO regional director at its Gulshan office where she made the remark, according to a press release received Tuesday.
She believed the region needed to prioritise social protection, social dialogue, employment generation, decent work, and the basic protection of workers, the release added.
"Bangladesh needed skills development for its huge, young workforce. This requires a creative approach where the ILO could also help," the regional director said.
"Bangladesh Government has been actively pursuing workers’ safety, social protection, and decent work conditions during the last few decades. The country has also updated its rules and laws to make those sustainable and practical," she added.
The regional director was accompanied by the ILO Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen and other senior officials from the ILO Dhaka office. BEF members, former Presidents, and other sectoral representatives were also present.
Led by the BEF President Ardashir Kabir, the Committee members received and welcomed the regional director and her colleagues.
In his welcome speech, the BEF President highlighted how BEF and the ILO had been working together in Bangladesh on skills development, occupational safety and health, social dialogue, industrial relations, decent work, and various other areas.
He pointed out Bangladesh’s need to prepare its workforce for the disruptions arising out of the gradual embracing of 4IR.
The President hoped that the ILO would remain by Bangladesh’s side as the country pursued its goals while going through the different stages of development. He believed the new regional director's guidance could take the region’s as well as Bangladesh’s partnership with the ILO to the next level.
The BEF Committee members presented a bouquet, crest, and gift to the regional director. The parties exchanged views on ILO’s support for Bangladesh’s development and the need for future cooperation under the changing global scenario. The meeting ended with a call to dinner.
