Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF), in collaboration with the ILO Country Office for Bangladesh and the
Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CWCCI), organized a day‑long
Awareness‑Raising Session on Employment Formalization (Formal Enterprises) on
3rd March 2026 at the CWCCI Conference Hall, Agrabad, Chattogram.
Objectives & Format
The session aimed to surface practical experiences of formal enterprises and to discuss how formal HR practices
translate into better business outcomes. Using a structured discussion guide, participants shared their approaches
and challenges in implementing formal employment.
What Enterprises Shared
- Workforce size and HR policies currently in practice
- Leave provisions, bonuses/performance incentives
- Workplace safety measures and availability of women’s washrooms
- Written job contracts and clear role descriptions
- Medical support, insurance coverage, and longer‑term benefits (e.g., pension/provident fund where applicable)
Discussions also explored whether these provisions improve motivation and productivity and support business growth
through stronger retention, better work discipline, and fewer disputes—while noting ongoing challenges such as
cost constraints, uneven implementation, and limited medical/insurance coverage.
Facilitation & Remarks
The program was facilitated by Mr. Joha Rahman, Head of Training, BEF, who outlined
objectives and expected outcomes and used participatory methods to keep the session interactive.
The inaugural session was chaired by Mr. Ruman Ishtiak, Project Officer, ILO Dhaka Office.
Ms. Abida Mustafa, President, CWCCI, and Ms. Ivy Hasan, Former Vice
President, CWCCI, joined as observers and shared remarks. It was highlighted that formal employment—
written contracts, structured HR processes, safer workplaces, and benefits—can yield tangible business returns:
higher productivity, lower turnover, fewer disputes, stronger compliance/audit readiness, and improved market access.
Participants & Sectors
Designed for HR professionals from formal enterprises in the Chattogram region, the session drew a total of
18 participants across the following sectors:
Plastic, Leather, Agro‑processing, RMG (Export‑oriented), Pharmaceuticals, Construction, Medical, and
Aquaculture/Shrimp.
Photo Gallery
