Collaboration: International Labour Organization (ILO) Bangladesh

Starting date: October 09, 2026
Completion date: February 28, 2027

Project description: This project provides technical and logistical support to the Bangladesh in assessing the investment needed to move towards universal childcare and long-term care services. Care work is essential for human development, gender equality, and decent work, yet Bangladesh has no national public system for childcare or for the care of older persons and persons with disabilities. Women carry most of the unpaid care burden, which limits their participation in education, paid work, and leadership.

The study analyses current and future care needs, maps existing care services, financing, workforce, and institutional arrangements, and identifies service gaps for poor and vulnerable households. It develops costed investment scenarios for public-led and blended financing models and projects the likely employment outcomes in both care and non-care sectors. The work follows a progressive universalism approach, gradually widening coverage while prioritising those with the greatest care needs and lowest ability to pay. It draws on consultations with government agencies, employers’ and workers’ organisations, service providers, civil society, and development partners.

Team leader:
Dr Selim Raihan, Team Leader

Team members:
Dr Bazlul Haque Khondker, Advisor
Prof. Sharmind Neelormi, Coordinator
Zubayer Hossen, Coordinator