The ILO will host a consultation event on 31 March in Dhaka to share the findings and recommendations of the study “Towards Improved Unemployment Protection in Bangladesh: A Preliminary Feasibility Assessment”, supported by the project “Building institutional mechanisms for the gradual extension of social protection in Bangladesh,” which comes to a close at this date.

When: 31 March 2022, 1.30 p.m. – 4.30 p.m. (UTC+6)

Venue: Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden, Dhaka

 

The study has attempted to review the labour market structure and the legal and institutional framework related to Bangladesh’s social security and unemployment protection. The paper emphasises the complementary measures for an Unemployment Insurance Scheme, such as the provision of public employment services and Active Labour Market Policies (ALMP). 

The event seeks to engage the Government of Bangladesh, employers and workers’ organisations, as well as relevant social partners, UN agencies, and civil society organisations. The consultation is expected to guide the way forward for appropriate policy actions and foster conducive unemployment protection measures in line with the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS).

Agenda

Time (UTC+6) Description Speaker/ Moderator
1:30 p.m. Registration and Lunch
2:30 p.m. Welcome Anne Drong, ILO
2:35 p.m. ILO’s approach to improved social protection for workers in Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen, Director, ILO-CO-Bangladesh
2:45 p.m.

Short video on Unemployment Insurance & ALMP’s

 

Anne Drong, ILO
2:50 p.m. Response to the COVID-19 crisis through unemployment protection: Global perspectives Céline Peyron Bista, Chief Technical Adviser, ILO-Geneva
2:55 p.m. Presentation on “Towards Improved Unemployment Protection in Bangladesh: A Preliminary Feasibility Assessment’ Dr. M. A. Razzaque
3:15 p.m.

Designated Discussants for the panel discussion (Not according to seniority or hierarchy)

·       Mr. Md Humayun Kabir, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of Bangladesh

·       Mr. Mohammad Khaled Hasan, Joint Secretary, Cabinet Division, Government of Bangladesh

·       Mohammed Shakhir Ahmmed Chowdhury, Deputy Secretary (Social

security) from Ministry of Social Welfare, MoSW, Government of

Bangladesh

·       Mr. Farooq Ahmed, Secretary General, Bangladesh Employers’

Federation (BEF) (TBF)

·       Mr. Chowdhury Ashiqul Alam, Member Secretary, National Coordination Committee for Workers’ Education (NCCWE)

·       Ms. Ishrat Shabnam, Programme Manager – Private Sector, Delegation

of the European Union to Bangladesh

·       Dr. Mohammed Abu Eusuf, Professor, Dept. of Development Studies, University of Dhaka

·       Mr. Aminul Arifeen, Project Manager, Social Protection Policy Support, UNDP Bangladesh

Syed Saad Hussain Gilani, Chief Technical Adviser, ILO-Dhaka
3:55 p.m. Open Discussion Syed Saad Hussain Gilani, Chief Technical Adviser, ILO- Dhaka
4:00 p.m.

Remarks by Special Guest

·       Mr. Koen Everaert, The Head of Cooperation (Acting), The Delegation European Union to Bangladesh

4:10 p.m.

Address by Chief Guest

·       Mr. Md. Ehsan-E-Elahi, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of Bangladesh

4:25 p.m. Vote of Thanks Gunjan Dallakoti, ILO
4:30 p.m. Closing Anne Drong, ILO