“It is in everyone’s interests that union rights are respected and decent working conditions upheld. The workers win more influence and participation in their workplace. Employers get better qualified staff and can increase their productivity. Society escapes costs for ill health, fatalities and social conflicts. It’s a matter of making sure that competition takes place on equal terms and human rights are respected,” said Mr Löfven.
“We are proud to be working with Bangladesh and the ILO to strengthen workers’ rights in a vulnerable industry in which 80 per cent of those employed are women. This project will put women in a stronger economic position and improve their working conditions,” said Ms Lövin.
The project will involve an investment of SEK 45 million, to be funded by Sweden and implemented by the ILO between 2015 and 2020. It is expected to result in better dialogue between employers and employees, and better negotiating and dispute resolution mechanisms in the labour market. Four million people work in the textile industry, the overwhelming majority of which are women. Their interests will be at the heart of the project.
Other participants in the signing ceremony were Secretary Mikhail Shipar of the Ministry of Labour and Employment of Bangladesh and ILO Director-General Guy Ryder, who welcomed the project as a very valuable contribution.
A Global Deal was discussed in New York in the presence of the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, the Director-General of the ILO and the Secretary-General of the OECD. The discussion focused on how states, trade unions, employers and international organisations can take joint responsibility for promoting good working conditions.
