Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF), under the ProGRESS Project of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Country Office for Bangladesh, organized an HR Dialogue on “Implementing Effective Employment Support Services (ESS) and Showcasing the Jobs & Skills Matching System (SMS)” on November 9, 2026, at the conference hall of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CWCCI), Agrabad, Chattogram.

The dialogue focused on gathering insights and recommendations from employers and human resource professionals on establishing and implementing an effective Employment Support Service (ESS) framework tailored to the needs of industries in Chattogram. Discussions covered existing recruitment practices across enterprises, workforce recruitment challenges, and how a dedicated employment support service could facilitate efficient talent acquisition and address skills gaps. Participants also examined the potential operational advantages, challenges, and strategic considerations associated with implementing such a service.

On behalf of ILO Mr. Gunjan Dallakoti, Head of Programme and SME Development Specialist, and Mr. Pedro Jr. Bellen, Chief Technical Officer, ProGRESS Project, provided strategic insights and guidance throughout the dialogue, engaging with participating HR professionals and industry representatives on the implementation of Employment Support Services and the Jobs & Skills Matching System alongside other ILO professionals. Mr. Moslem Uddin Khan, Assistant Secretary General, shared BEF’s insights and perspectives during the discussion. The dialogue was facilitated by Mr. Tanjel Ahsan, Senior Programme Officer, ProGRESS Project, ILO and Mr. Md. Wasfi Tamim, National Programme Officer (Private Sector Engagement), ILO.

Around 25 top level HR professionals, business representatives, and industry stakeholders from about 12 renowned industries in Chattogram attended the event for an interactive exchange of perspectives and experiences.