International Development Grant

Advancing decent work in Bangladesh

Project Number: CA-3-P012800001

Status: Operational

Country/Region:

Bangladesh 100.00%

Maximum Contribution: $8,000,000.00

Start Date: April 08, 2024

End Date: December 31, 2028

Duration: 4.7 years

Project Description

This project is a coordinated joint response by the International Labour Organization the Government of Bangladesh and workers’ and employers’ organizations to advance labour rights and support decent work. More Bangladeshi men and women workers enjoy decent work through improved policies and laws accountable gender-responsive and inclusive labour market institutions. They also enjoy sustainable business practices that contribute to the competitiveness of industries.

Expected Results

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) enhanced Bangladesh labour laws aligns more with international labour standards and the application of laws; (2) made labour administration institutions more functional transparent and effective in line with International Labour Standards (ILS) and good governance; (3) made social dialogue platforms and mechanisms effective gender-responsive and inclusive; (4) supported enterprises become more gender-responsive inclusive safe sustainable competitive and supportive of decent work integration and promotion; (5) reduced child labour especially hazardous forms; and (6) employment injury benefits extended to workers. This includes women workers and families of workers in the ready-made garments (RMG) and other sectors to compensate for disabilities or deaths arising out of work-related accidents injuries and occupational diseases.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of March 2025 include: (1) enhanced Bangladesh’s labour laws to better align with international labour standards with revisions underway and increased enforcement observed across key sectors; (2) strengthened the functionality transparency and effectiveness of labour administration institutions through the introduction of improved inspection systems and digital reporting tools; (3) strengthened social dialogue platforms and mechanisms ensuring active participation of women and marginalized groups in tripartite consultations and decision-making processes; (4) supported 124 factories in adopting gender-responsive inclusive and sustainable workplace practices including the implementation of safety and decent work initiatives; (5) increased identification and referral of child labour cases particularly in hazardous sectors through the establishment and use of community-based monitoring systems; (6) extended employment injury benefits to workers including women and families in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) and other sectors; and (7) provided compensation to 71 beneficiaries for work-related deaths and permanent disabilities under the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) Pilot.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
ILO - International Labour Organization

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
OGM Indo-Pacific

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Labour Rights 70%
Social Dialogue 9%
Responsible Business Conduct 21%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated

Policy Markers
Level 1 Gender equality
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2023-04-01 to 2024-03-31 $8,000,000 CAD
Geographic Information
000";Budget Type:Original;Start Date:2024-04-01;End Date:2025-03-31;Value Date:2024-04-08;Value:"$1
Project Number: CA-3-P012800001