'Businesses should promote workers' well-being'
They called for this initiative at the 2nd International Conference on Inclusive Business 2019, held at a hotel in Dhaka
Speakers at a conference on Sunday urged private businesses to develop a mind-set to run inclusive businesses and ensuring the wellbeing of workers.
They called for this initiative at the 2nd International Conference on Inclusive Business 2019, held at a hotel in Dhaka.
The speakers focused on the conference theme – 'Inclusive growth for Tackling Poverty and Inequality' – and called for promoting sustainable business solutions in Bangladesh.
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The SNV Netherlands Development organised the conference in partnership with the Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce & Industry, along with the support of the Embassy of Netherlands.
At the meeting, Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun said that Bangladesh has prepared its plan for accomplishing the sustainable development goals by incorporating the inclusive business models.
"This conference will help developing a positive mind-set among the stakeholders to invest in various inclusive business models," he said.
Swedish Ambassador to Bangladesh Charlotta Schlyter said that inclusive business is not only about reaching out to people who are left behind, "it is also about engaging with the people from different walks of life and encouraging their entrepreneurial spirit and abilities."
Terming inclusive business initiatives an opportunity for the private sector, Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry Verweij said that corporate social responsibility should not only mean providing welfare but also ensuring sexual and reproductive health and rights for garment factory workers.
He also emphasized on branding Bangladesh as an economic tiger and a modernizing economy.
Among others, SNV Netherlands Country Director Jason Belanger and President of Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce & Industry Faruque Hassan, also spoke at the conference.
Over 150 participants including government officials, development partners, academics, and prominent figures of private sector and civil society attended the conference.
Four plenary sessions, including, 'Gender Inclusion in Sanitation Business, Agriculture & Food Security', 'Ensuring Health Care for RMG Workers', and 'Financial Inclusion in RMG Sector' also took place during the conference.
