Implementation of HR Services for the Social Management Programme of BEPZA

Young Consultants (YC) was engaged by the International Finance Corporation’s Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund (IFC-BICF), part of the World Bank Group, to provide comprehensive human resource (HR) and administrative services for the Social Management Programme of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA). The assignment supported the implementation of BEPZA’s Social Management System, which aimed to strengthen social compliance at the enterprise level through awareness-building initiatives, compliance monitoring, and improved workplace relations within Bangladesh’s export processing zones.

The IFC-BICF programme was designed to improve the business operating environment in Bangladesh by supporting business-friendly policies, strengthening institutions, and enhancing the capacity of public-sector organizations. Within this framework, BEPZA received assistance to develop and implement a Social Management System. The programme engaged 60 labour counsellors, funded through the World Bank Group, to monitor labour compliance, conduct awareness-building activities, and facilitate dispute resolution across the export processing zones.

YC was responsible for providing the HR infrastructure and administrative support required to manage the labour counsellors throughout the assignment. The firm conducted consultative sessions with BEPZA and IFC-BICF management and established a physical database of the counsellors to support personnel administration and record management. YC also managed the recruitment and selection of new counsellors in consultation with BEPZA and IFC-BICF, ensuring that the recruitment process aligned with programme requirements.

Following recruitment, YC facilitated the engagement of counsellors through tripartite service contracts and managed their monthly salary payments, reimbursements, and other employment benefits. The firm administered annual leave and attendance records, managed provident fund and related benefit matters, and arranged life and health insurance coverage for the counsellors. These services supported consistent personnel administration and helped maintain the operational continuity of the Social Management Programme.

In addition to routine HR management, YC provided ongoing administrative and logistical support, including transportation and other operational arrangements as required. The firm regularly followed up on counsellors’ activities and reported to IFC-BICF and BEPZA. Monthly and quarterly reports were prepared and submitted to IFC-BICF to support programme monitoring, accountability, and management oversight.

YC also reviewed relevant labour law and social compliance issues and organized training on compliance-related matters to strengthen the counsellors’ capacity to perform their responsibilities. Through these integrated HR, administrative, reporting, and capacity-building services, YC supported the effective management of the labour counsellors and contributed to the implementation of BEPZA’s Social Management Programme across Bangladesh’s export processing zones.

Assignment Details
Client: IFC-Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund (BICF), The World Bank Group
Implementing Institution: Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA)
Location: Dhaka, Chittagong, and six other export processing zones (EPZs), Bangladesh
Contract Value: Not specified in the available project information
Duration: 24 months
Assignment Period: July 2009 – June 2011
Total Staff-Months: 24 staff-months
Key Personnel: M. Zakir Hossain (Project Adviser); Mr. Mozzamel Haque (Labour Compliance Specialist); S. M. Firoj Hasan (Project Coordinator); Mr. Altab Hossain Faruquee
Associated Consultants: Not applicable
Key Deliverables: Consultative sessions with BEPZA and IFC-BICF management; physical database of labour counsellors; recruitment and selection of counsellors; tripartite service contracts; salary, reimbursement, leave, attendance, provident fund, and benefits administration; life and health insurance arrangements; regular counsellor follow-up and performance reporting; monthly and quarterly reports to IFC-BICF; HR and administrative support; transportation and logistical arrangements; review of labour law and social compliance issues; compliance-related training.