The European Union with its member States on Wednesday launched the ‘Team Europe Initiative on Decent Work’ to promote safe and secure working environments for all workers combined with sustaining the per capita economic growth.

This initiative responds to the global Decent Work Agenda and includes interventions in support of all four pillars of this agenda: employment creation, social protection, rights at work, and social dialogue.

The virtual launch took place in the framework of the first "Bangladesh-EU film festival" (BEUFF), running until June 30, said the EU Embassy in Dhaka.

The event began with the online screening of the Bangladeshi short-film – Meenalap (Fish Monologue).

The Ambassadors of the European Union, the Netherlands and Denmark were present at the launch, as well as the Country Director of the ILO and the film director.

EU Ambassador Rensje Teerink sai the objective of the “Team Europe” approach is to combine resources from the EU, its Member States, like-minded European Countries and financial institutions.

“We are all in this to make a difference, and to support the strengthening of Bangladesh’s economy by working for more and better jobs. With the Team Europe Initiative on Decent Work, we act jointly in moving this agenda forward, both with already ongoing interventions and those planned for the future,” she said.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Harry Verweij said the Team Europe Initiative on Decent Work focuses on two closely interconnected tracks: skills and employment, and creating an improved enabling environment and quality jobs.

“The Netherlands has several ongoing projects under the Team Europe Initiative, including on improving the working conditions in the Ready-Made Garments sector.I believe that the Decent Work agenda will further strengthen the economic resilience of Bangladesh”.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark Winnie Estrup Petersen said Denmark is proud to be part of the Team Europe Initiative.

Winnie said COVID 19 has shown them how dependent they are on each other – and it is just another reason to prioritise long term goals, broad cooperation and sustainable relations.

“With the Team Europe Initiative, EU and we, the member states, want to work closer to each other in order to achieve solid results together with our Bangladeshi partners within this area”.

She said being part of the EU Team Europe Initiative on Decent Work comes natural as Denmark already actively supports Decent Work and Economic Growth through a number of projects in Bangladesh.

“The Decent Work agenda is a comprehensive one aiming at promoting safe and secure working environments for all workers combined with sustaining the per capita economic growth. Denmark has very much focused on health and safety, social dialogue and productivity”.

The intended outcomes of the initiative are the following: workers in Bangladesh, in particular youth, women and other vulnerable groups, have increased access to demand-driven skills training systems and job improved employment opportunities with the goals to support diversification of the economy, strengthen socio-economic mobility and increase domestic purchasing power; and workers in Bangladesh are able to rely on consistent, cross-sectoral, rule-based workplace safety and protection, in line with minimum international labour standards.

Activities supported by France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and Norway are also part of the Team Europe Initiative on Decent Work.