AC CES S TO E D U CATI ON, EMPLOYMENT, AND HE ALTHCA RE AP PL ICAB IL IT Y TO RO H I NGYA These memoranda apply to NGOs providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees living within the camps in Cox’s Bazar, and therefore have a direct impact on available livelihood opportunities for Rohingya refugees. P ROTECTIO N N OT ES On 23 September 2019, the Bureau of NGO Affairs issued Memorandum No. 03.07.2666.661.51.019.17-10 with the subject line “Formulation of Framework for NGOs working on behalf of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, revising the existing framework dated 6 March 2018.” Article 11 of the revised framework stated: “As far as possible, priority should be given to Bangladeshi nationals in hiring workers for emergency relief projects. Under no circumstance may Rohingya nationals be recruited.” Article 12 stated: “Under no circumstances can any cash disbursement scheme be accepted. Punitive action will be taken against the organization if any kind of cash payment is found.” However, responding to a memorandum issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding complications in cleaning, sewage, and waste management in the camps due to this prohibition, the Bureau of NGO Affairs issued instructions in Memorandum No. 03.072666660.66.341.18-03, dated 1 January 2020, to all NGOs to “take necessary action in coordination with the Commissioner for Refugees, Relief and Repatriation” in Cox’s Bazar. Therefore, Rohingya refugees living in the camps continue to be able to avail themselves of cash for work and day labour schemes implemented by NGOs, although such opportunities have been increasingly limited.54 Guideline: Guidance on Rohingya Volunteer Incentive Rates, July 2018 S UMMARY These guidelines, formulated by the Inter Sector Coordination Group (ISCG) and approved by the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, outline the wages to be paid to Rohingya volunteers participating in cash for work (CFW) and daily labour schemes. AP PL ICAB IL IT Y TO RO H I NGYA These guidelines apply to all cash for work schemes implemented by NGO members of the Cash Working Group (later renamed the Transfers Working Group) operating in the camps. P ROTECTIO N N OT ES Rohingya volunteers engaged in cash for work programmes are entitled to a daily wage of 350 taka/day, and may work for a period of 16 days for 5-6 hours/day (including a one-hour lunch break) or for 32 non-consecutive days within a three-month period. Unskilled work is to be remunerated at a rate of 50 taka/hour, while semi-skilled work (community outreach, enumerators, site management assistants) receive 50-70 taka/hour for sporadic work engagements or 7,20012,600 taka/month for regular work over a longer time period. All cash for work schemes should include an on-site first aid kid, a washroom facility for every 20 employees/ volunteers, and a childcare nursery to look after participants’ children. In addition, all CFW schemes should adhere to International Labour Organization (ILO) principles on decent work. 67 BE YOND REFU GE: ADVANCING LEG AL PROTECTIONS FOR ROHINGYA C OMMUNITIES IN BANGL ADESH