Digital Learning Tools (BFC Chatbot)

Background

The garment, textile, footwear sector remains the heart of the Cambodian economy, generating 74% export earnings, formally employing more than 650,000 Cambodians, the majority of whom are women. It is estimated that each garment worker supports another three to four family members. This means that two million Cambodians depend on the garment sector for their livelihoods.

Since 2001, Better Factories Cambodia has joined with workers, employers and the government to improve working conditions and boost the competitiveness of the garment industry. Originally, the project as linked to an innovative trade agreement between the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) with the United States that provided market access in return for improving working conditions in the garment sector. After the expiration of the trade agreement in 2004, the Cambodian Government, together with unions and employers, requested the ILO to continue with the implementation of the programme.

As its longest running programme, Better Factories Cambodia (BFC) is in many ways the driving force behind Better Work and has inspired the establishment of the programme in nine other countries. Central elements of the programme’s approach began in Cambodia: from cultivating social dialogue through worker-management committees, to offering factories tailored advisory services to help them solve their own labour rights’ challenges or using public reporting to spur improvements in factory working conditions and workplace environment across the industry. The programme currently covers over 550 factories and has close collaboration with over 200 of those factories where it helps systems of social dialogue to help solve workplace issues.

In collaboration with the ILO Global Centre on Digital Wages for Decent Work, Better Factories Cambodia is implementing a project to promote the transition from cash to responsible digital wage payments, enabling female and male workers in Cambodia’s garment industry to have better control over their wages and benefits and access to digital financial services to improve their resilience and economic opportunities. Switching from cash-based wage payments to digital wage payments has the potential to drive efficiency in the Cambodian garment sector and is an effective and sustainable payroll solution.

Responsible digital wage payments meet the needs of women and men workers – particularly the most vulnerable and disadvantaged among them. They respect workers’ rights, in accordance with national laws and regulations and with internationally recognized human rights, including fundamental principles and rights at work and relevant international labour standards. They also respect principles, guidelines, and good practices concerning digital financial inclusion and financial consumer protection. At the same time, Gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) is a critical issue that affects workplaces across industries. Addressing GBVH requires comprehensive measures to prevent, identify, and respond to incidents, ensuring that all workers feel safe and respected. Efforts to combat GBVH should be integrated into workplace policies, training programs, and reporting mechanisms, reflecting a commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all employees.

Objective

The chatbot development professionals/firms will create an interactive and user-friendly chatbot platform focused on its training content. The purpose of the chatbot is to provide accessible and engaging information to users in the industry, helping them improve their financial literacy and make informed financial decisions, while also raising awareness and understanding of GBVH and how to address it in the workplace. This digital learning platform is expected to be used as a learning aid for BFC’s target beneficiaries.

This work will be carried out from January until April 2025.

Scope of work and deliverables

Under the supervision of BFC, the consultant/firm will be responsible for the following:
Deliverable 1: Development of 3 learning modules
Expected delivery date: 15th March 2025
Adapt and restructure financial content and the selected learning modules and develop relevant chat-based tools to encourage learning of target groups. The three modules will cover but not limited to the following topics:

• Module 1: Digital wage
• Module 2: Introduction to GBVH
• Module 3: Addressing GBVH at workplace

Activities

• Collaborate with BFC staff and relevant resource documents including ILO financial education materials to gather accurate and relevant financial content and content of selected learning modules.
• Design and develop an intuitive chatbot interface and conversation flow that delivers educational content in a user-friendly manner.
• The chatbot is designed under ILOBFC branding and is compatible with Facebook and the Telegram platform.
• Basic selected financial content (budgeting, savings, accessing credits, and business-related content) is developed and integrated with the chatbot for pilot/learning.
• Language: Khmer and English
• Conduct thorough testing and quality assurance to ensure the chatbot functions smoothly across various platforms and devices.
• Based on analysis and assessment with BFC team, conduct needed improvement to the chat and contents

Deliverable 2: Impact report, Transfer, and train BFC staff

Expected delivery date: 30th April 2025

• Analytic, monitor and support medication
• Provide documentation and training materials for BFC staff to manage and maintain the chatbot post-development

Duration

The duration for the work under this assignment will be from 15 January 2025 to 30 April 2025.

Reporting

The external collaborator will report to the BFC Communication Officer, Daramongkol Keo (keo@ilo.org).

Timeline

The contract duration is from 15 January 2025 to 30 April 2025

Responsibilities of BFC and the Consultant

BFC shall provide programme information and editorial guidance to the Consultant to enable their understanding of the deliverables required. As well as photography/Video credentials and clearances (if needed)

The Consultant shall adhere to BFC’s photo policy and guidelines and follow Better Work’s branding guidelines.

Copyright

The materials produced by the contractor during the period of contract shall be the exclusive property of the Better Work and shall not be re-produced, distributed, or utilized without the expressed, written permission of Better Work.