B-SkillFUL project acknowledges informal enterprises for creating employment opportunities and improving decent workplaces

04.04.2019
On 28 March 2019, Building Skills for Unemployed and Underemployed Labour (B-SkillFUL) project of Swisscontact organised “Employers’ Day” in collaboration with its implementing partners in Dinajpur to recognise the outstanding contribution of informal enterprises towards addressing Labour Rights and Decent Work (LRDW) issues at workplaces. This first of its kind event further aimed to acknowledge enterprises who have been providing Workplace Based Training (WBT) and employment opportunities to B-SkillFUL trainees.

Enterprise owners from various occupations i.e., tailor, plumber, beautician, mobile phone technician, electrical house wiring technician, welder, motor cycle mechanic as well as many others participated in the event. During the programme, the participants shared their thoughts and experiences of being a part of such interventions and committed towards supporting the project by further developing their workplace- based training conditions.  

Md. Mahmudul Alam, Deputy Commissioner of Dinajpur, attended the event as the chief guest. In his speech he appreciated B-SkillFUL’s effort to promote quality skills training to meet the present demand of skilled workers at home and abroad. He also mentioned that non-government organisations play a vital role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and reaching the aim of establishing Bangladesh as a developed country by 2040. He also expressed his gratitude to Swisscontact in creating job opportunities for the unemployed and underprivileged youths and thus helping the government to accomplish its sustainable goals. He also recognised the need of improving working conditions in informal enterprises and appreciated the project’s unique contribution in this regard.

Mr. Mirza Nurul Ghani Shovon, Chairman of IS-ISC and President of NASCIB, and Ms. Jannatus Safa Shahinur, district coordinator of BWCCI attended the Employers’ Day as implementing partners of the project. Mr. Anirban Bhowmik, Country Director of Swisscontact Bangladesh and Mr. Matiur Rahaman, Team Leader of B-SkillFUL project, were also present at the event along with representatives from partner training service providers.

B-SkillFUL Phase I (2015-2019) is jointly funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and European Union (EU) and implemented by Swisscontact. The project aims to improve the well-being of 40,000 poor and disadvantaged men and women by increasing their access to the labour market and enhancing their incomes, while safeguarding their fundamental rights at work. The project facilitates implementation of training programmes through local Training Service Providers (TSPs) on demand driven skills. B-SkillFUL also raises awareness amongst the graduates and informal sector enterprises on issues of Labour Rights and Decent Work (LRDW). To that end, the project sensitises selected informal enterprises  through organising workshops with support of Informal Sector Industry Skills Council (IS-ISC), Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) and National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh (NASCIB).