Denmark, ILO tie up for Bangladesh garment sector

Denmark has signed an agreement with the UN’s labour agency, the ILO, to strengthen organisations of the workers and employers in the readymade clothing sector in Bangladesh.

The project titled “Promoting Social Dialogue and Harmonious Industrial Relations in the RMG Sector” is jointly funded by Denmark and Sweden and will be implemented by the ILO over the next five years, the Danish embassy says.

It is part of the overall Development Programme between governments of Bangladesh and Denmark that “underpins Danish development strategy in Bangladesh for the next five years”.

Ambassador Hanne Fugl Eskjær and Acting Country Director of ILO Gagan Rajbhandari signed the agreement on Thursday.

The project aims to contribute to establishing “an effective industrial relations framework” with a focus on the RMG sector in Bangladesh.

“Further, the project will promote sustainable enterprises through social dialogue and strengthen the workers and employers organisations,” the embassy said.

“Denmark believes that fundamental principles and rights at work are promoted best through effective social dialogue,” the ambassador said.

“I am happy that this project will address needs for both workers and employers leading to a stronger RMG sector in Bangladesh,” she was quoted as saying in a statement.