Labour and employment and shipping adviser M Sakhawat Hussain held a bilateral meeting with the United States deputy secretary of Labour Keith E Sonderling at the side-line of International Labour Conference at the ILO Headquarters in Geneva on Tuesday.
Various issues including strengthening cooperation in the labour sector between the two countries, protecting workers鈥� rights, ensuring a safe working environment and developing skills were discussed, according to an official handout.
In particular, discussions were held on taking joint initiatives to improve the working conditions of workers in the ready-made garment sector of Bangladesh and ensure fair wages.
Sakhawat detailed the labour reform programme undertaken by the Bangladesh government in the meeting.
During this time, he mentioned the early amendment of the labour law, facilitation of trade union registration, and strengthening of the labour inspection system.
He said that the government was ensuring fair wages, good working conditions and compensation at work and maternity leave for workers in all sectors.
The adviser said that if large construction companies did not deposit their dividend money to the central fund as per the rules, they would not be able to participate in any government procurement.
Bangladesh government is working relentlessly to promote a safe, sustainable and fair working environment in all industrial sectors, including the RMG sector, ship-breaking and construction, he said.
The adviser also said that a large portion of the total population in Bangladesh was young. The country鈥檚 ICT sector has created huge employment opportunities for these youth.
Currently, Bangladesh is in a significant position in the field of online jobs and freelancing. Government and private organisations are taking various initiatives to develop skills of the youth and create employment, he said.
US deputy secretary of labour praised the progress made in the labour sector of Bangladesh and expressed interest in providing the necessary technical assistance on the part of the United States.
