ILO Director-General Houngbo calls on PM Tarique
Photo: PMO
International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General Gilbert F Houngbo paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday.
Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the matter in a post on its the verified Facebook page.
Houngbo said international confidence in Bangladesh has strengthened since a government elected by vote took office.
ILO is keen to bolster its long-standing partnership with Bangladesh and will continue to work closely with the government to develop the labor sector.
Tarique added, “The government is giving the highest priority to protecting workers’ rights, ensuring a safe working environment, and implementing international labor standards.”
Houngbo remarked that the election of Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman as the president of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) is a significant recognition of the country’s diplomatic capability and acceptance on the international stage.
He also highly praised the government for other diplomatic achievements reached within a short period.
During the meeting, discussions focused on the social security of workers, skill development, expansion of employment opportunities, and building a skilled workforce to meet the demands of the changing global labor market.
Moreover, emphasis was placed on the progress of the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, workplace safety, development of the informal labor market, and Bangladesh’s progress in implementing international labor standards.
They also stressed strengthening cooperation between the government and the ILO to advance ongoing labor sector reforms.
The meeting was attended by Labor Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, PM’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, Secretary Abdur Rahman Tarafder, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General (UN) Md Kamruzzaman, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh Max Tuñón, and Senior Adviser to the Director-General at ILO Headquarters in Geneva Hitomi Nakagome.
