Global labour chief arrives in Dhaka

The Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert F. Houngbo, has arrived in Dhaka for a significant two-day official visit.

The high-profile diplomat landed in the city on Sunday morning to begin a series of high-level meetings aimed at transforming employment conditions across the country. According to an official statement released by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the visit underlines a deepening partnership between the global agency and the host nation.

Gilbert F. Houngbo is scheduled to hold a courtesy meeting with Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury to discuss immediate policy frameworks. Following these preliminary talks, the global labour chief will meet with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday for strategic state-level discussions.

Briefings from senior administrative sources indicate that the dialogue will focus heavily on improving basic labour standards and modernising workplace conditions. The two sides intend to evaluate current workers' rights, expand social protection schemes, and address critical gaps in skills development across the domestic market.

A major portion of the upcoming talks will focus specifically on the vital ready-made garment sector. The garment industry remains a cornerstone of the national economy, making safety and compliance a top priority for international regulators.

The delegation will also look at the massive informal labour market, exploring new methods to bring unregulated workers under the protection of state legal frameworks. They see resolving these deep-seated challenges as essential for aligning local manufacturing with international expectations.

Gilbert F. Houngbo, a citizen of the West African nation of Togo, took charge as the eleventh leader of the organisation in October 2022. The former prime minister made history upon his election by becoming the first African national to lead the UN body since its founding over a century ago.

The official visit comes at a time when the government is actively seeking international support to professionalise its industrial sectors. Local trade bodies hope the direct talks will clear the path for enhanced technical cooperation and sustainable economic growth.