A Japanese parliamentary delegation engaged in labour issues on Wednesday praised improved working conditions in Bangladesh factories but insisted on more work for further progress.
"We must admit that the labour environment has improved, but there is still room for further progress," said Michihiro Ishibashi, secretary general of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan and member of the House of Councillors.
Ishibashi led the delegation members of the Japanese Parliamentarians' League on the International Labour Organization (ILO) as they paid a courtesy call on Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday at the State Guest House Jamuna.
During the meeting, Ishibashi shared his observations from the delegates' visits to factories both inside and outside EPZs.
Ishibashi added that during his visit to Japanese companies in Bangladesh, he felt a positive energy.
"We hope Japanese companies will invest more in infrastructure and other sectors," he said.
Chief adviser Yunus hailed Japan as a trusted friend of Bangladesh and thanked the country for its cooperation over the years.
He noted that the relationship between the two countries is multi-dimensional.
He highlighted that labour sector reform is one of the key priorities of Bangladesh's Interim Government and noted that his Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi had been specifically tasked with the implementation of all the ILO conventions and ensuring their timely adoption.
"He is pushing everyone to get their job done," said the chief.
"We made it very clear that we should be apologetic about the labour issue and must work on it," Yunus emphasised.
He also sought Japanese support for deep-sea fishing projects in Matarbari and proposed initiatives to increase the number of Bangladeshi Technical Interns and Specified Skilled Workers (SSW) in Japanese companies.
"We plan to send 100,000 young people to Japan. They will receive language training, skill development, etiquette lessons, and even some history education. This is the beginning. In the future, we will send many more. We believe this is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to explore and showcase their creativity," Professor Yunus said.
The delegation included Hanako Jimi, Vice Secretary General to the Liberal Democratic Party; Ryuji Satomi, Kenta Izumi, Member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan; Makiko Dogomi, Independent MP; Maki Ikeda, Member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan; Mamoru Umetani, Member of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan; and Atsushi Oshima, Executive Board Member of the Democratic Party for the People.
Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi and Senior Secretary on SDG Affairs Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting.
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