The newly appointed Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Bangladesh, Max Tuñón, has pledged to strengthen cooperation with the government and social partners to promote decent work, social justice, and a more sustainable investment environment in the country.
“Our collective efforts will not only ensure better working conditions for a larger share of the workforce but also enhance Bangladesh’s ability to attract investment,” Tuñón said after presenting his credentials to Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, according to a press release.
Emphasizing the importance of inclusive growth, Tuñón said the need to advance the decent work agenda in Bangladesh is “urgent.”
“With two million young people entering the labour market each year, we must work together to ensure that economic growth translates into quality jobs with dignity,” he said.
The ILO has long been supporting Bangladesh in labour law reform and enforcement, occupational safety, and the protection of workers’ rights. It also provides technical and policy assistance to the government and its tripartite partners—employers and workers’ organisations—in reviewing and amending the Bangladesh Labour Act.
According to the ILO statement, the organisation is also helping enhance employability by developing job-relevant skills, promoting entrepreneurship, and fostering an enabling business environment for sustainable enterprises.
Before his posting in Dhaka, Tuñón served as Head of the ILO Office in Doha, where he supported labour reforms in Qatar. He has also worked on wages, labour inspection, and occupational safety and health, and previously served in ILO offices in Bangkok, New Delhi, and Beijing.
The ILO office in Bangladesh is among the organisation’s largest globally, with a wide mandate to promote labour rights, decent employment, and social protection—particularly for vulnerable and marginalized groups.
The ILO’s support is delivered through the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), jointly developed with the government, employers, and workers’ representatives, to ensure fair, safe, and sustainable labour practices across sectors.