Bangladesh: EOI on Targeted study on discrimination concerning persons with disabilities

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is looking for Consultant/Organizations for Targeted study on discrimination concerning persons with disabilities in labour migration process, disabilities arising from working conditions and identifies good practices with respect to redress for migrant workers affected by occupational diseases as per below Terms of Reference (ToR):

1.Background/Context of the programme:

International labour migration is a considerable reality of Bangladesh’s economy and labour force, with 12 per cent or more of the labour force employed overseas. There are about 1.8 million new labour market entries per year, whilst the labour market can only provide about 200,000 new formal sector jobs[1]. In 2015 the regular labour migration route was able to provide employment for additional 500,000[2] individuals, which left roughly a million individuals looking for employment. As per the BMET data, the total number of workers migrating increased from 555,881 persons in 2015 to 757,731 in 2016. The workers’ remittances in the FY15, accounted for 7.87 per cent of the GDP and 49.78 per cent and 37.65 percent of the country’s total export and import respectively[3].

Migrant workers’ households benefit from remittances, with better education outcomes and better access to healthcare, water, sanitation and nutrition[4]. Successful migrant workers can reduce poverty and improve livelihoods for individuals and their families.

The Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has taken some positive steps to improve the situation for migrants workers including enactment of the Overseas Employment and Migration Act 2013; formulation of the Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment 2016; extending services and capacity building initiatives through 42 District Employment and Manpower Office (DEMOs) and 68 Technical Training Centres (TTCs).

However, there remain many challenging conditions that prevent individuals from fully realizing the potential benefits of labour migration. These include low skill levels; limited awareness of and ability to exercise human and labour rights; high cost of labour migration; and limited support for productive re-entry into the Bangladeshi economy.

Estimates vary, but according to the Centre for Disability in Development, a local NGO, approximately 16 million or 10% of the country's population with disabilities live in Bangladesh today. In 2004, the prevalence of disability was about 6% among those below the age of 18 and about 14% among those above that age.[5] In Bangladesh, physical limitations are not the only obstacle a disabled person needs to overcome. Attitudes to and perceptions of the society towards persons with disabilities often intensify/aggravate the challenges. As with many countries, there is little awareness in Bangladesh of disability, its causes and how it affects a person’s overall well-being. Many 'traditional' views on the subject still prevail, especially in rural settings. Things are even more difficult for women with disabilities, with research suggesting that they experience higher rates of ill-treatment, neglect and abandonment, thus further increasing their risk of poverty. The GoB had declared about two decades back a 10 per cent employment quota for persons with disabilities and orphans. But this quota has never been properly implemented due to the lack of sensitivity of employers about the potentialities of persons with disabilities, contradictory employment policies and loopholes in the system. Along with that, often times a person with disability are normally disqualified in the labour migration process due to the perception about incapability and limitations. As the government of Bangladesh has limited data on disability arises from workplace injury, therefore, there is a scope to develop a mechanism to compliment the capacity of Wage Earners’ Welfare Board (WEWB) to identify the trends, improve systems to collect data and taking into for further actions i:e New policy adaptation to introduce a compensation plan, or to design future focused interventions for the persons returning with disability and utilization of their acquired knowledge and skills into the domestic labour market. To this end, the Ministry of Expatriates Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE) is exploring to introduce a mandatory health and life insurance for migrants.

2.Objectives:

In this context, IOM is looking for a consultant/ consultancy firm to conduct a study on discrimination concerning persons with disabilities in labour migration process, disabilities arising from working conditions and identifies good practices with respect to redress for migrant workers affected by occupational diseases through research and consultative meetings with government and relevant stakeholders. Based on the research and discussions of the consultative meetings held with different stakeholders, a comprehensive study report will be designed outlining the findings & recommendations and a good practice which will guide the government to develop a policy framework, and introduce more target oriented services to facilitate labour migration; giving them opportunities to be employed in suitable categories of work and to utilize their knowledge and skills ensuring a friendly working environment for such group.

Women and people from marginalized groups/ sections of the population are further disproportionately disadvantaged if they also have disabilities. Hence the study needs to analyze in depth the needs of women and people from marginalized groups.

3.Scope of work:

In close collaboration with the IOM, the Consultant/Firm, in close coordination with the MoEWOE shall perform the following tasks:

· Desk research (document and literature review) of related policies, strategies, research reports and documents.

· Consultation meeting with relevant institutions, workers organizations and employers federation and agencies to identify areas of concern which assist in designing data collection tools.

· Develop survey questionaries’ from the migrants (men and women) with disabilities, Key Informants’ Interview (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussion guidelines,

· Collect qualitative data through KIIs and Focus Group Discussion (FGD); from the returnee migrants, selected experts; government officials; research institutions and relevant NGOs/CSOs, workers organizations (BEF) and employers’ federation (NCCWE) at the divisional and national level. It must be ensured that women’s are equally represented in the KIIS with migrants

· Draft a report, to facilitate validation workshop at national level to share the findings and recommendations.

· Incorporate the feedback and submit revised report to IOM

· Finalize and submit a final report based on feedback from relevant counterparts

4.Methodology:

The consultant/consultancy firm will conduct desk research and consultation meeting with the key stakeholders to identify the current scenario and collect data. Based on that, consultant/consultancy firm will then develop a template of questionnaire and complete Key Informant Interview as well as gather data from field survey. Upon sharing with government and NGO’s/CSOs, workers organizations and employers federation facilitate a validation workshop to share findings and recommendations. After that a final report will be produced.

5.Method of Application: Interested Consultant/Consultancy firm need to submit a technical and financial proposal elaborating the competency of the consultant/consultancy firm to undertake the assignment including a detailed work plan along with the CVs of the proposed personnel.

Required expertise:

· Sound knowledge and demonstrated capacity in designing the tools and methodology and conducting research.

· Proven experience in working with government of Bangladesh and labour migration process.

· Proven experience in undertaking research and engaging with a wide range of stakeholders ranging from government, development partners, NGOs/CSOs; and

· Proven experience in working with disable and disability arises from working injury is essential. Good Knowledge and understanding on labour migration issues and challenges in Bangladesh would be an added advantage.

· Excellent presentation, oral and written communication skills.

· Proficiency in English and good analytical and drafting skill.

[1] ILO 2015 Labour Market Study

[2] BMET Data

[3] Bangladesh Bank, Quarterly Report on Remittance Inflows: April-June 2015. Available at https://www.bb.org.bd/pub/quaterly/remittance_earnings/apr_jun2015.pdf [Accessed 02 Oct 2015]

[4] IOM 2009, Bangladesh Household Remittance Survey.

[5] Disability in Bangladesh: A Situation Analysis” World Bank*. Retrieved* 20 April2016.

Interested Organizations are requested to send their proposal in English – not exceeding 10 pages in total – detailing the following:

· A brief summary of the organization with at least 10 years of experience along with organizational vision, mission, goal and objectives (N/A for Consultants); or an individual with more than 7 years of experience in the field of labour migration

· Details of the organizational governance structure (N/A for Consultants)

· Legal identity documents of the organization, to be attached as annexure (N/A for Consultants)

· Organizational set-up in the target districts and nationally (N/A for Consultants)The completed EoI should be placed in a plain, sealed envelope and clearly marked: CFCV-38/2017/C-BD1: Targeted study on discrimination concerning persons with disabilities to IOM, Dhaka Office by 13 July, 2017 in the below address:

Procurement Department

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

House 13/A, Road 136, Gulshan-1, Dhaka 1212

Phone: +880-2-55044811 – 13

Interested Consultants are invited to submit: a) financial proposal with work plan, b) CV c) sample of previous work by 13 July, 2017, e-mail to: nafza@iom.int; faahmed@iom.int; Please mention the reference code CFCV-38/2017/C-BD1: Targeted study on discrimination concerning persons with disabilities on the email subject header.

In case of any technical query or any further clarification about the ToRs, inquire through email: mmhasan@iom.int; with subject line; “**CFCV-38/2017/C-BD1: Targeted study on discrimination concerning persons with disabilities**”

The EoI should be written in English.

Any attempt for persuasion will be considered as a disqualification

ONLY SHORT LISTED NGOs WILL BE ASSESSED

ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY TAX OR VAT ISSUES IF APPLICABLE.