The International Labour Organization (ILO) has committed $24.70 million to bolster decent work initiatives in Bangladesh, while the International Organization for Migration (IOM) will contribute another $0.58 million towards piloting assessments aimed at preventing and mitigating climate-induced displacement.
The government formalized two separate grant agreements on Tuesday (12 March), securing a total disbursement of $25.28 million, equivalent to Tk27.81 crore, with these global agencies, according to a press release.
Shahriar Kader Siddiky, secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), signed these agreements on behalf of the government. Toumo Poutiainen, country director of the ILO, and Fathima Nusrath Ghazzali, officer-in-charge and deputy chief of Mission at IOM, signed the respective agreements on behalf of their organizations.
The signing ceremony was attended by representatives from the European Union, concerned embassies, ERD officials, and representatives of the project implementation agencies.
The Ministry of Labour and Employment will spearhead the three-year project titled "Advancing Decent Work in Bangladesh," with resource partnerships from the European Union, Denmark, Netherlands, and Sweden.
The project aims to ensure that more Bangladeshi men and women have access to decent work through improved policies and laws, accountable and inclusive labour market institutions, and sustainable business practices, all contributing to the competitiveness of industries.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief will oversee the implementation of the project titled "Pilot Assessment and Interventions to Avert, Minimize Displacement in Climate-Stressed Districts of Bangladesh."
This initiative seeks to address climate-induced displacement and other related challenges through policy support, data-driven planning, enhanced capacity building, and community-based mechanisms.
Both projects align with the country's Five-Year Plan and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on critical labour issues and climate resilience efforts, as outlined in project documents.