Research Summary: Bangladesh-EU trade and Economic Partnership
Universal Social Protection and National Social Insurance Scheme in Bangladesh
Assessment of Skills Demand and Skills Gaps in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Industry of Bangladesh
About the project
Partner: Asian Development BankProject duration: October 2022 - December 2023
Aligned with ADB’s Strengthening Social Resilience Programme , this assignment covers three major areas (i) monitoring and evaluation of the progress and achievement of the reforms and policy actions supported by the programme , (ii) technical and analytical supports in social protection system reforms aligned with the scope of the programme , and (iii) capacity building of relevant government staff and agencies on social protection system reforms in line with the reform areas of the programme ."
This assignment covers the following activities: • Preparing evidence-based M&E frameworks for the progress and achievement of each policy action with a focus on (1) social protection related policy actions; and (2) health related policy actions. • Undertaking a technical study on the social protection programme consolidation and harmonisation • Undertaking a technical study on the urban poor • Undertaking a technical study on mobile clinics for the urban poor • Coordinating with the government and ADB, to organise workshops/seminars/training for relevant line ministries and agencies, to improve their knowledge on evidence-based M&E, programme consolidation and harmonisation, social protection for urban poor and urban mobile clinic; ensure the gender inclusiveness in each workshop/seminar/training.
Project activities
Third Tripartite Dialogue: Developing Nationally Defined Social Protection Plan for Working-age Persons in Bangladesh through Assessment Based National Dialogue (ABND)
On 12 November 2025, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), organised the third tripartite dialogue on “Developing a Nationally Defined Social Protection Plan for Working-Age Persons in Bangladesh through Assessment-Based National Dialogue (ABND).”RAPID Chairman Dr M A Razzaque recapped the progress and findings from the first and second ABND Dialogues and shared the results of the voting exercise from the 2nd ABND. The event featured Dr Md Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, as Chief Guest. The technical sessions were moderated by Ms Ouchi Mariko, Senior Social Security Specialist, ILO/DWT-New Delhi, with support from Ms Tanjilut Tasnuba, Senior Programme Officer, ILO Country Office for Bangladesh, and Mr Gunjan Dallakoti, Head of Programmes, ILO, delivered the opening remarks.
The dialogue brought together senior government officials, representatives from employers’ and workers’ organisations, and development partners for an inclusive and evidence-based discussion aimed at validating and prioritising actionable policy options for strengthening social protection for the working-age population.
Second Tripartite Dialogue: Developing Nationally Defined Social Protection Plan for Working-age Persons in Bangladesh through Assessment Based National Dialogue (ABND)
On 17 July 2025, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), organised the second tripartite dialogue on “Developing a Nationally Defined Social Protection Plan for Working-Age Persons in Bangladesh through Assessment-Based National Dialogue (ABND).”RAPID Chairman Dr M A Razzaque recapped the first ABND workshop. The event featured Mr A H M Shafiquzzaman, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, as Chief Guest. Ms Zaheda Parveen, Secretary (Coordination & Reforms), Cabinet Division, attended as Guest of Honour. Ms Ouchi Mariko, Senior Social Security Specialist, ILO/DWT-New Delhi, moderated the discussion, and opening remarks were delivered by Mr Syed Saad Hussain Gilani, Chief Technical Adviser, ILO.
First Tripartite Dialogue: Developing Nationally Defined Social Protection Plan for Working-age Persons in Bangladesh through Assessment Based National Dialogue (ABND)
On 22 May 2025, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Ministry of Labour and Employment (MoLE), organised the first tripartite dialogue on “Developing a Nationally Defined Social Protection Plan for Working-Age Persons in Bangladesh through Assessment-Based National Dialogue (ABND).”RAPID Chairman Dr M A Razzaque delivered the keynote presentation. The event featured Mr A H M Shafiquzzaman, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, as Chief Guest. The opening remarks were delivered by Dr Hiroko Uchimura-Shiroishi, Principal Social Sector Specialist at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), followed by a welcome address from Mr Gunjan Dallakoti, Head of Programme, ILO.
Workshop: Strengthening Social Protection in Bangladesh
On 19 November 2024, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), in collaboration with the Cabinet Division, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), organised a workshop on “Strengthening Social Protection in Bangladesh.”RAPID Chairman Dr M A Razzaque, and Executive Director Dr M Abu Eusuf, jointly facilitated the workshop. Mr Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan, Secretary of Coordination & Reforms at the Cabinet Division, graced the event as Chief Guest. Mr Hoe Yun Jeong, Country Director of the Bangladesh Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank, addressed the gathering with his special remarks. The technical sessions were moderated by Dr Hiroko Uchimura-Shiroishi, Principal Social Sector Specialist, Asian Development Bank.
A RAPID-ADB meeting was held on 26 November 2022 at RAPID office. Ms Hiroko Uchimura-Shiroishi, Senior Social Sector Specialist of ADB, was present during the meeting. Team members discussed various issues on improving social protection Programmes in Bangladesh.
