International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today.

During the meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday, July 20, discussions centered on further strengthening Bangladesh-ILO cooperation in ensuring workers' rights, safe working environments, skills development, employment growth, and the implementation of international labor standards.

At the outset of the meeting, Gilbert F. Houngbo congratulated Tarique Rahman on assuming office as Prime Minister. He stated that the international community's confidence in Bangladesh has grown even stronger following the assumption of office by a government elected through the direct votes of the people.

In this context, the ILO is keen to further strengthen its long-standing partnership with Bangladesh and work closely with the government on the development of the labor sector.

In response, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman thanked the ILO for its continued cooperation, stating that safeguarding workers' rights, ensuring safe working environments, and implementing international labor standards are among the government's highest priorities.

During the meeting, the ILO Director-General remarked that Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman's election as the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly is a significant recognition of Bangladesh's diplomatic capability and acceptability on the international stage. He also praised the current government for other diplomatic successes achieved internationally in a short span of time.

The discussions emphasized workers' social security, skills development, the expansion of employment opportunities, and the building of a skilled workforce capable of meeting the changing demands of the global labor market.

Furthermore, views were exchanged on advancing the progress of the ready-made garment (RMG) sector, workplace safety, the development of the informal labor market, Bangladesh's progress in implementing international labor standards, and intensifying cooperation between the government and the ILO to drive ongoing reforms in the labor sector.

The meeting also addressed ensuring the rights and welfare of migrant workers, establishing safe and orderly migration systems, and expanding cooperation in skill development for outbound workers.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring a worker-friendly, safe, and sustainable working environment. On the other hand, the ILO Director-General expressed a firm resolve to further expand the organization's existing cooperation with Bangladesh and work jointly toward the development of the labor sector.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Labour and Employment Ariful Haque Chowdhury, the Prime Minister's Adviser on Labour and Employment Mahdee Amin, Labour and Employment Ministry Secretary Md. Abdur Rahman Torofdar, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General (United Nations) Md. Kamruzzaman, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh Max Tuñón, and ILO Headquarters Senior Adviser to the Director-General Hitomi Nakagome.