DHAKA, Aug 07, 2025 (BSS) - Since assuming office a year ago, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has undertaken various initiatives, including the formation of a Labour Rights Reform Commission, the reformation of the National Tripartite Consultative Council (NTCC), and the initiation of amendments to the Bangladesh Labour Act.

According to data from the Labour and Employment Ministry, a key focus was placed on addressing workers' rights, safety, and fair wages.

The interim government formed a 10-member Labour Reform Commission on November 17, 2024, with Executive Director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed as the chief, to ensure proper reforms in the sector.

The commission was established to evaluate and propose reforms to enhance labour rights, safety, and fair wages.

On April 22, the Labour Reform Commission handed over its report to Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna.

In the report, the commission stated that it is necessary to formulate a permanent Labour Commission as a statutory body to ensure an accountable labour administration system. As an initial step, the Labour Ministry will immediately create a 'National Social Dialogue Forum'.

Regarding initiatives for creating new employment facilities and skill development, the report recommended that the government should take effective steps to reduce the country's unemployment and generate employment opportunities both at home and abroad.

To face the challenges of automation and the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the commission's report suggested that the government should prepare short-, medium-, and long-term roadmaps for creating a skilled population.

The report also emphasized the need to create a productive youth labor force and entrepreneurs.

Regarding social security for workers, the commission called upon the government to take steps to ensure universal social security for all workers.

Over the past year, the National Tripartite Consultative Council (NTCC) in Bangladesh was reformed in December 2024 to enhance its effectiveness and representation for both workers and employers. This reconstitution aimed to strengthen the council's role in labour sector reforms and promote better dialogue between the government, employers, and workers.

The NTCC, as a tripartite body, involves representatives from the government, employers, and workers, ensuring diverse perspectives are considered in labour-related decision-making, according to the Bangladesh Employers' Federation.

The reform of the NTCC is part of a broader effort to modernize and strengthen the labour sector in Bangladesh, including initiatives such as labour law reform, enhanced labour inspection, and addressing anti-union discrimination in line with the International Labour Organization.

Since its reformation, the NTCC has convened three times in 2025, and various labour organizations have responded positively to the changes.

The government has committed to ratifying three significant ILO conventions by September this year. These include Convention 155 on occupational safety and health, Convention 187 on the promotional framework for occupational safety, and Convention 190 on the elimination of violence and harassment in the workplace.

The ratification processes for Conventions 155 and 187 are progressing according to schedule and have not faced major opposition, and the government remains committed to implementing the conventions.

In late 2024, the government, in close consultation with the ILO and major trading partners, prepared a draft of a new Labour Act. The revised legislation is expected to be enacted by ordinance by July 2025.

The government believes the amended law will align with international standards concerning worker protection and rights.

Export Processing Zones (EPZs) have long operated under a separate labour regime that provides exemptions from the national labour law.

The government plans to amend this law in two phases. In the first phase, the revised BLA will come into effect, while in the second phase, the EPZ law will be harmonized with the core protective provisions of the amended BLA.

The primary goal is to strengthen the council's ability to advise the government on labour law and policy, facilitate social dialogue, and promote harmonious industrial relations.

The process of amending the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006 (as amended in 2018), is underway, aiming to incorporate recommendations from the NTCC.

On June 24 this year, the Ministry of Labour and Employment presented the Green Factory Award 2025 to 30 factories in 16 categories, in recognition of their commitment to environmentally sustainable practices, energy efficiency, waste management, and overall workplace standards.
This year's awardees include companies from sectors such as garments, textiles, leather, pharmaceuticals, food processing, steel, ship-breaking, and diversified manufacturing.

While speaking at the 353rd Governing Body Session of the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Geneva in March this year, Labour and Employment Adviser Brigadier General (retd.) Dr. M. Sakhawat Hussain said the interim government, under the leadership of Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is committed to implementing sustainable labour reforms through national consensus and stakeholder participation.

Sakhawat Hussain stated that the Bangladesh interim government has dismissed most politically motivated cases against workers and trade union leaders, ensuring democratic representation of both workers and employers in tripartite committees.

The adviser noted that a tripartite consensus was reached on several key amendments to the Labour Law, including the extension of trade union rights to management, supervisory, and administrative positions.

The adviser said that the government is also in discussions with stakeholders regarding amendments to the EPZ Labor Law to align it with the revised Bangladesh Labor Law. "Necessary measures will be taken following a comparative analysis of both laws," he added.

Sakhawat Hussain also informed that 50 percent of factory and establishment inspections are currently conducted unannounced under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), and assured that vacant labor inspector positions would be filled promptly.

During the discussions, representatives from developing countries in Asia and Africa commended Bangladesh's labor reforms and called for the swift closure of the complaint process against the country.

Significantly, for the first time in five years of ongoing review, the Arab Group of member states expressed unanimous support for Bangladesh, setting a unique precedent in ILO proceedings.

Additionally, 18 other countries independently praised Bangladesh's labor reforms, marking the highest level of international support received so far.

Representatives from several development partner countries welcomed the government's initiatives and assured continued cooperation in implementing these reforms. 

Notably, no member of the ILO Governing Body called for an investigation against Bangladesh during this session.

Based on Bangladesh's report and discussions at the session, a decision was made to postpone the next hearing on the ongoing complaint from November 2025 to March 2026 as a constructive step towards cooperation.
Sakhawat Hussain expressed appreciation for the international community's continued support and cited the ongoing goodwill visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as an endorsement of Bangladesh's commitment to labor rights.

He also invited ILO's tripartite team and other delegations to visit Bangladesh and observe the government's ongoing labor sector reforms firsthand.

Sakhawat Hussain urged the international community to support the swift resolution of the ongoing case against Bangladesh. 

The interim government has been working to bring Bangladesh's labor laws into compliance with ILO standards, particularly regarding freedom of association and collective bargaining. 

Its overarching goal is to create a more just and equitable labor market that protects workers' rights, promotes economic growth, and facilitates a smooth transition to a new elected government. 

Efforts have been made to enhance the capacity of the Department of Labour (DoL) and other relevant bodies to effectively implement and enforce labor laws.

The government will complete bringing about amendments to the Bangladesh Labour Act by October this year as the country has committed to improving it to international standards, said Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain at a programe in June 20.

Afterwards, it will be possible to provide it to the International Labour Organization (ILO) as proof of the progress made in labour rights, he said.