Australia Friday announces further support to help developing countries maximise the benefits of trade, recognising its importance in driving economic growth, reducing global poverty, and advancing gender equality.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham in a joint statement announced a US$3 million extension to Australia’s partnership with the Better Work programme.
“The joint initiative with the International Labour Organization and International Finance Corporation will support over 2.2 million workers, of which 75 per cent are women, in more than 1,300 factories across Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam said the joint statement.
“Better Work has a strong focus on developing safer working conditions and closing the gender pay gap throughout the female-dominated industry,” Minister Payne said.
In addition, the Australian Government will support Better Work and CARE Australia to deliver a regional workshop on preventing sexual harassment in garment factories in Cambodia later this year.
Australia will also open the first round for its E‑commerce Aid for Trade Fund this month, with an initial focus on the ASEAN region. The Fund will help developing countries maximise the benefits of digital trade.
Australia’s new commitments, announced at the World Trade Organization’s Global Review of Aid for Trade in Geneva this week, total over $8 million.
