[{"bbox": [96, 152, 1136, 393], "category": "Text", "text": "institutionalization of the Employment Injury Scheme (EIS) pilot and (vii) inclusion of a clear social security framework in the next NSSS and/or in a separate strategy document. These key activities will contribute to three main outputs: 1) Strengthened governance and digital institutions; 2) Increased effectiveness of social assistance for mothers and children; and 3) Improved social protection for workers in the formal sector, particularly in the RMG/export-oriented industries. These outputs will lead to two outcomes: 1) Enhanced effectiveness and inclusiveness of the social protection system through the adoption of digital technologies and 2) Nationally appropriate, comprehensive and shock responsive social protection system and measures implemented along the life-cycle, ensuring decent work and social protection for all, with a focus on socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. Ultimately, these efforts will contribute to reducing poverty and inequality."}, {"bbox": [96, 392, 1136, 604], "category": "Text", "text": "With its focus on promoting social protection for all, the action is in line with priority 1 of the EU's Multi-Annual Indicative Programme for Bangladesh 2021-2027 (Human Capital Development) and is also relevant in the context of the Decent Work Agenda. It contributes primarily to the achievement of SDG 10 (equality) and also promotes progress towards SDGs 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 5 (gender equality), 8 (Decent work for all). The action will contribute to the realisation of the EU Gender Action Plan 2021-2025 GAP III⁴, in particular to its thematic area of engagement “Strengthening economic and social rights and empowering girls and women”. Likewise, it will contribute to the implementation of the EU Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the EU’s Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy 2020-2024."}, {"bbox": [96, 604, 1136, 683], "category": "Text", "text": "The action is implemented via a Sector Reform Performance Contract to lever the potential of reforms and keep the EU position at a higher level of policy engagement and dialogue. To complement the budget support, technical assistance aims to strengthen the capacities of selected institutions responsible for delivering NSSS reforms."}, {"bbox": [96, 683, 1136, 814], "category": "Text", "text": "The commitment of the EU's contribution to the Team Europe Initiative foreseen under this annual action plan will be complemented by other contributions from Team Europe partners, like the Social Protection for Workers in the Textile and Leather Sector\" (SOSI), funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). In the event that the TEIs and/or these contributions do not materialise the EU action may continue outside a TEI framework."}, {"bbox": [86, 830, 506, 862], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 1.3 Zone benefitting from the Action"}, {"bbox": [86, 875, 513, 902], "category": "Text", "text": "The Action shall be carried out in Bangladesh."}, {"bbox": [86, 931, 323, 964], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 2 RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [86, 997, 234, 1025], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1 Context"}, {"bbox": [96, 1043, 1136, 1334], "category": "Text", "text": "From mid-July 2024, Bangladesh experienced political instability and unrest triggered by student protests against a government job quota system. The EU expressed its concerns over violence and loss of life in the context of these protests and called for a peaceful solution, respect for human rights and a thorough investigation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned on 5 August. On 8 August, President Shahabuddin swore in an interim government which is tasked with steering the country through a transition that prepares the ground for democratic elections and ensures accountability for the deaths and violence that have occurred. The interim government is led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus who has the title of Chief Adviser. On 8 August the High Representative issued a statement saying that the “EU looks forward to engaging with the new administration and to supporting this critical transition which should be part of a peaceful and inclusive process underpinned by good governance, democratic values and respect for human rights.” The EU has closely followed the situation and the actions of the authorities in the context of this crisis and will continue to do so."}, {"bbox": [96, 1335, 1136, 1467], "category": "Text", "text": "Bangladesh has made significant progress in human development, poverty reduction and sustained economic growth. The latest Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES 2022) reveals that the Upper Poverty Line rates fell from 24.3% in 2016 to 18.7% in 2022. Moreover, while in 2016, 12.9% of the population was below the country's Lower Poverty Line, in 2022, the rate has fallen to 5.6%. However, income inequality is rising. The Gini co-efficient increased from 0.458 in 2010 to 0.499 in 2022, representing a trend toward income concentration."}, {"bbox": [96, 1467, 1136, 1521], "category": "Text", "text": "Bangladesh's remarkable socio-economic progress has positioned it to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026. However, this transition will bring several challenges. Currently, as an LDC, Bangladesh"}, {"bbox": [86, 1572, 1145, 1644], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ The Gender Action Plan III is a Joint communication by the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy which was welcomed through EU Presidency Conclusions of 16 December 2020 endorsed by 24 Member States"}, {"bbox": [1038, 1681, 1145, 1707], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 32"}]