Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Norwegian government will provide US$ 2.5mn to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) for promoting fundamental rights and improving working conditions in the export-oriented industries particularly in readymade garment (RMG) of Bangladesh.
An agreement to this effect was signed between Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ILO-Bangladesh in the capital Dhaka on Monday.
Visiting Norwegian Minister for International Development Heikki Eidsvoll Holmås and ILO Country Office Director Srinivas Reddy signed the agreement.
The Norwegian minister arrived in Dhaka on June 3 on a four-day visit.
The agreement was signed in presence of secretary, ministry of labour, government of Bangladesh Mikail Shipar, representatives from the Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF) and the National Coordination Committee for Workers’ Education (NCCWE).
The agreement with the ILO is part of the Norwegian government’s commitment to promote better working conditions in developing countries through the ILO.
In 2013, the Norwegian government is set to double its contribution to the ILO, a concrete follow-up of the government’s white paper on democracy, fair distribution and growth.
“Higher wages and decent working conditions ensure economic and social development,” the Norwegian minister said. “By supporting the ILO’s efforts in Bangladesh we want to make a contribution to improve working conditions and better and fairer wages in Bangladeshi workers.”
He also called upon all to bear the responsibilities with dedication to come out of the image crisis after the Rana Plaza incident.
ILO country director said: “ILO welcomes the support which is very timely. The support directly contributes to implement one of the commitments- workers education and training of mid level supervisors and managers on occupational safety and health and fundamental principles and rights at work.”
The fund would be utilised through ILO in building capacity for the betterment of the workers in export-oriented sectors including garments, leather and shrimp industries in Bangladesh.
The support will facilitate continuous dialogue between workers’ and employers’ organisations and the government and strengthen the tripartite partners’ capacity to support the on-going ILO efforts of the Promoting Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work project.
It will also assist in the future implementation of an ILO Better Work Programme in Bangladesh.
BBN/SSR/AD-05June13-10:50 am (BST)
