Bangladesh
Abdul Momen Bangladesh wants a strong position of ILO to protect migrant workers' rights
Own Correspondent, Dhaka, Oct 20: Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen said, if there is any weakness in the labour issue, please do not use it as a weapon to take political advantage. Come forward with generous financial support to tackle the problem.
He said Bangladesh wants to see ILO taking a stronger stance in protecting the labour rights of migrant workers around the world. Migrant workers are our development partners, and human beings too and the unfair treatment they face should also be seen.
He said this while addressing a national seminar titled 'Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work: 50 Years of Bangladesh with the ILO' at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Wednesday (October 19).
The Foreign Minister said the ILO has a tendency to use staff for its own ends, which often fails to have a lasting impact on national and local institutions. We want to see the ILO as a partner in capacity building. Don't want to see them bothering about local issues.
He said, "Bangladesh hopes that our development partners, including the ILO, will work by recognizing the value of local-level knowledge and experience rather than unilaterally imposing a model on everything according to their own opinion."
Referring to the Rana Plaza incident, the Foreign Minister said, like many developing countries, there have been some shocking incidents in the labor sector of Bangladesh. I would like to call on the ILO to join the government's efforts to move the country forward without looking at these past events. Otherwise, some national and international interest groups will pursue their interests and agendas.
Momen also mentioned that the Bangladesh government is committed to solving the recent crisis caused by the Ukraine war.
