Fake news is dangerous. It’s costing the world billions- taking lives, crashing markets, and fueling distrust.
Final Review of the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) and Action Plan Phase II (2021–2026)
Developing a Roadmap for the National Social Insurance Scheme (NSIS) in Bangladesh
Contents
About the project
Partner: International Labour Organization (ILO)Project duration: 27 May 2025 – 26 November 2025
Bangladesh’s social protection system is evolving under the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS), introduced in 2015, with action plans for 2015–2020 and 2021–2025, supported by UNDP. The NSSS promotes a life-cycle and universal coverage approach, coordinated by the Cabinet Division and monitored by the General Economics Division. A National Social Insurance Scheme (NSIS) was proposed under NSSS, focusing on unemployment, injury, maternity, and sickness insurance, with the Ministry of Finance responsible for its development. However, progress has been slow, and instead, a Universal Pension Scheme was launched in 2023. To advance NSIS, ILO and UNDP are collaborating to create a roadmap through consultations with government ministries, employers, and workers' organizations. The project aims to build capacity among stakeholders and develop an implementation strategy, supported by an actuarial or costing study. This will inform training and policy dialogues, helping integrate social insurance into Bangladesh’s broader social protection system.
Scope of Work Summary for NSIS Roadmap Consultancy:
Roadmap Review & Analysis:
- Conduct desk review of NSSS, relevant policies, and frameworks.
- Analyse international best practices in social insurance and assess relevance to Bangladesh.
- Collect legal and statistical data for an actuarial study or costing exercise.
- Facilitate consultations with five key stakeholder groups: Two government ministries, employers, workers, and development partners.
- Collect input on challenges and expectations for NSIS.
- Draft a comprehensive roadmap with steps, timelines, and milestones for NSIS implementation.
- Recommend institutional structures, financing, and legal frameworks aligned with international standards and national goals.
- Organise two workshops (one-day and two-day residential) to share knowledge and present the draft roadmap.
- Provide capacity-building recommendations.
- Revise and finalise the roadmap incorporating stakeholder feedback.
- Submit a detailed implementation strategy with actionable steps.
Project activities
Workshop: Developing a Roadmap for the Maternity Insurance Scheme in Bangladesh.
On 14–15 July 2024, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), and with funding support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Government of Australia, organised a workshop on developing a roadmap for the Maternity Insurance Scheme in Bangladesh. RAPID Chairman Dr M A Razzaque delivered the opening presentation. The workshop featured Mr A H M Shafiquzzaman, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, as Chief Guest. Ms Ouchi Mariko, Senior Social Security Specialist at ILO/DWT-New Delhi, presented the proposed maternity insurance roadmap under the National Social Insurance Scheme (NSIS).
Media coverage
The Financial Express The Business Standard The Business Post Prothom alo UNB The Daily Star Dhaka Tribune Independent TV
Stakeholder Consultation on Expanding Exports to the UK Market: Agricultural Products – Shrimp & Frozen Fish
On 23 February 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK, jointly organised its fourth stakeholder consultation for its ongoing project. The consultation was attended by representatives from the Shrimp & Frozen Fish sectors, including members of the Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA) and the Department of Fisheries, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, who actively participated in the discussion. The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Kazi Belayet Hossain, President of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA).Dr M Abu Eusuf, Professor, Dhaka University & Executive Director of RAPID, made the trigger presentation while the consultant event was moderated by S. Humayun Kabir, Vice President of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association (BFFEA).
Stakeholder Consultation on Expanding Exports to the UK Market: Agro-Processing Sector
On 22 February 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK, jointly organised its third stakeholder consultation for its ongoing project. The consultation was attended by representatives from the Agro-Processing Sector, including members of the Bangladesh Agro-Processors' Association (BAPA) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), who actively participated in the discussion. In the Stakeholder Consultation, Md Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (Export), Ministry of Commerce, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, was present as the Chief Guest. The interactive session on Expanding and Diversifying exports to the UK Market: Agro-processing industries , was conducted by Dr M A Razzaque (Chairman, RAPID) and the whole event was hosted by Dr M Abu Eusuf, Executive Director, RAPID.
Media coverage
The Daily Star The Financial Express The Business Post
Stakeholder Consultation with Top Manufacturers and Exporters of Light Engineering Products to explore trade potential to the UK
On February 15, 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) organized its second stakeholder consultation for its ongoing project. The consultation was attended by representatives from the light engineering sectors, including members of the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners' Association (BEIOA) and the Bangladesh Bicycle & Parts Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BBPMEA), who actively participated in the discussion. The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Guest, Md Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (Export) of the Ministry of Commerce. The Chairman of RAPID, Dr. M A Razzaque, led the session, while the Executive Director of RAPID, Dr. M Abu Eusuf, hosted the event.
Media coverage
The Financial Express The Business Standard The Business Post Prothom alo Bonik Barta
Engaging with Key Stakeholders: A Consultation with Footwear and Leather Product Manufacturers and Exporters
On 13 February 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UK, jointly organised a stakeholder consultation. The consultation brought together key representatives from the leather and footwear sector, including manufacturers, exporters, and academics, for an insightful discussion on trade opportunities with the UK. The event was honored with the presence of the Chief Guest, Syed Manzur Elahi, Chairman of Apex Footwear Limited. The interactive session was conducted by the Chairman of RAPID, Dr. M A Razzaque, and the whole event was hosted by the Executive Director of RAPID, Dr. M Abu Eusuf.
Media coverage
The Financial Express
Project progress sharing meeting
During the first two weeks of February 2023, the RAPID team held a series of productive meetings where they discussed project progress updates and created approaches for conducting stakeholder consultations with relevant representatives from leather, footwear, light engineering, and agro-processing sectors.