The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Thursday held a three-day workshop on the Unemployed Workers Protection Programme (UWPP) and Labour Information Management System (LIMS), aimed at strengthening social protection for garment workers amid economic uncertainty.
The workshop was organised jointly by BGMEA and the European Union-funded TA-SPBS project at the BGMEA complex in Uttara.
The programme aimed to provide BGMEA member factories’ management and human resources personnel with a clear understanding of the implementation process of the UWPP, eligibility of beneficiaries, registration requirements and digital labour information management.
BGMEA Director Tareq-Ud-Doula and SD-related Standing Committee Chairman M. Rabiul Hossain Bhuiyan attended the workshop on behalf of BGMEA.
Representatives from the government and international organisations were also present, including Labour and Employment Ministry Joint Secretary and Central Fund Director Tahmina Begum, Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments (DIFE) Assistant Inspector General Md. Monwarul Al Amin, GIZ adviser Md. Mahbubul, EU TA-SPBS Project Manager Valentina, and HR representatives from member factories.
Speaking at the workshop, BGMEA Director Tareq-Ud-Doula said ensuring social protection and welfare of workers was essential for sustainable growth of the garment industry.
He said Central Fund initiatives were playing an effective role in supporting workers during crises and called for continued joint efforts by the government, BGMEA and development partners to maintain the industry’s resilience and enhance workers’ skills and institutional capacity.
M. Rabiul Hossain Bhuiyan, chairman of BGMEA’s Social Development and Labour-related Standing Committee, stressed the importance of stronger institutional coordination at factory level and providing timely support to workers during periods of unemployment or crisis.
EU TA-SPBS Programme Manager Valentina called for coordinated efforts among the industry, government and development partners to strengthen the social protection system for workers.
She said a sustainable institutional framework was needed to protect workers’ rights and welfare during temporary economic crises and assured that the European Union would continue its support and cooperation for the long-term social protection of garment workers.
Tahmina Begum, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment and Director of the Central Fund, highlighted the benefits and implementation progress of the Unemployed Workers Protection Programme.
The programme was launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as a social protection measure. Implemented under the Central Fund of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, it provides direct cash assistance of Tk 5,000 per month for up to three months through a government-to-person (G2P) digital system to workers who temporarily lose employment due to factory closures, accidents or maternity-related circumstances.
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The workshop also included technical sessions and open discussions. Representatives of TA-SPBS presented the detailed application and benefit-receiving procedures under the UWPP.
DIFE Assistant Inspector General Md. Monwarul Al Amin discussed the importance of digital labour information management systems and their practical application, while participants were advised to maintain accurate factory payroll and National Identity Card information to ensure that eligible workers are not excluded from benefits due to data errors.
The workshop concluded with remarks from GIZ Adviser Md. Mahbubul. The event was moderated by Shaila Akter Nova, Section-in-Charge and Deputy Secretary of BGMEA’s Social Development and Labour-related Programme.
BGMEA said the coordinated initiative involving the association, government and international organisations would play an important role in creating a safe, equitable and sustainable working environment in the garment sector.