BSPAN Strategy Development Workshop for National Advocacy Roadmap on the Ratification of ILO Convention No. 102 (Social Security Minimum Standards Convention)
- The Bangladesh Social Protection Advocacy Network (BSPAN) organized a Strategy Development Workshop on September 19, 2024, in Mirpur, Dhaka, to formulate a national advocacy roadmap for the ratification of ILO Convention No. 102. This convention establishes minimum global standards for social security, covering critical areas such as healthcare, pensions, and unemployment benefits. The event brought together 19 participants from NGOs, trade unions, and international organizations, including the ILO, to address Bangladesh’s fragmented social security system, particularly in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector, which leaves workers vulnerable to financial crises.The workshop focused on three key objectives: examining global and regional experiences with the convention, particularly in South Asia; understanding the challenges other countries faced during ratification and implementation; and reviewing past campaign efforts to create a one-year advocacy roadmap for BSPAN. Participants underscored the importance of ILO Convention No. 102 in providing a unified framework for social security, aligning Bangladesh with international standards, and addressing significant gaps in workers’ protections. The discussions led to the development of a detailed roadmap for 2024-2026, outlining activities such as policy dialogues, public mobilization, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with key ministries and policymakers.While challenges such as funding constraints, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and limited political will were acknowledged, opportunities for collaboration with international organizations like the ILO and alignment with global labor standards were also highlighted. Ratifying the convention would promote economic stability, enhance worker welfare, and support Bangladesh’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The workshop successfully enhanced stakeholder collaboration, fostered capacity building among participants, and equipped them with tools to advocate effectively for social security reforms. By implementing the roadmap, BSPAN aims to advance the ratification of ILO Convention No. 102 and improve social protections for workers in Bangladesh.
