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Roundtable Discussion on Integrating Decent Work Agenda in National TVET System: Achievement and Way Forward, B-SkillFUL

Bangladesh
07.11.2019
The National Skills Development Authority (NSDA), Informal Sector-Industry Skills Council (IS-ISC) and B-SkillFUL project jointly organised a Roundtable Discussion on “Integrating Decent Work Agenda in National TVET System: Achievement and Way Forward” on 31 October 2019 at the premises of NSDA in Dhaka. The roundtable discussion looked at how ensuring a Decent Work environment can create a win-win situation for both employees and the employers. It also highlighted the importance of integrating Decent Work Agenda as part of the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) System. Mr Pijush Kanti Nath, Additional Secretary & Member (Administration & Finance), NSDA was present in the event as the chief guest. He appreciated the project’s initiatives in creating awareness among enterprises on Decent Work Agenda. He also emphasised the importance of employers’ awareness regarding decent work promotion for increased productivity. Besides, he urged that the Ministry of Labour and Employment should accelerate towards strengthening workplace safety and labour rights.

The project is closely working with NSDA, the apex body for skills development in Bangladesh, towards mainstreaming decent work agenda within National TVET system. In this regard, the 1st roundtable discussion was held at the former NSDC secretariat to pave the path of understanding the need of such standards. Subsequently, B-SkillFUL shared Tracer Study findings on the project approach and attainment towards promoting decent workplace through the 2nd roundtable discussion. For most of the Labour Work and Decent Work (LRDW) indicators, results show improvements in knowledge of enterprise owners compared to baseline values. At the same time, existing knowledge of LRDW among B-SkillFUL graduates also showed a similar trend as the enterprises. Stakeholders shared their practical knowledge and experiences to enrich the qualitative section of the tracer study. They also highlighted the importance of integrating decent work agenda in national TVET system.

Two board members of NSDA and representatives from Industry Skills Councils (ISCs), Korea International Corporation Agency (KOICA), Sudokkha, Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) including others took part in the roundtable discussion. Mr. Mirza Nurul Ghani Shovon, Chairman, IS-ISC moderated the event. Mr Fazle Razik, Team Leader of B-SkillFUL, along with other project members participated in the event.

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. The project further works with 3,500 informal sector enterprises to enhance safety at workplaces and to create employment opportunities for skilled graduates. In addition, the project collaborates with government bodies to mainstream Labour Rights and Decent Work (LRDW) in national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.