A signing ceremony of ratification was held at the State Guest House Jamuna today, in the presence of the Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus. Photo: CA's Facebook

DHAKA, Oct 22, 2025 (BSS) – Since the interim government today ratified three conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus described the day as memorable one in the history of realizing the rights of working people in Bangladesh.

“This day will remain as memorable one in the history of realizing the rights of working people in Bangladesh,” a Chief Adviser’s Press Wing press release quoted the Chief Adviser as saying in the ILO Convention signing ceremony. 

The ratification ceremony was held at the State Guest House Jamuna here. 

Labour and Employment as well as Shipping Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain signed the instruments of ratification on behalf of the government in the presence of the Chief Adviser.

The three ratified conventions are: Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155); Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187); and Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190). Of these, Conventions 187 and 155 were declared as fundamental conventions by the ILO in 2022.

Recalling the 2013 Rana Plaza disaster, Chief Adviser Professor Yunus said, “After the Rana Plaza tragedy, the then government agreed to do everything. But nothing happened as per their commitment. They kept saying ‘it is being done, it will be done’. But we said—‘no more it is being done, it will be done’—we must do it.”

“Since I took office as the Chief Adviser, labour rights were my first priority. I held meetings time and again and kept saying everywhere that this must be done. Signing this will benefit all of us,” he said. 

“I was told I had to go to the next Geneva meeting. I tried to understand why no one had gone in the past meetings,” Professor Yunus added.

Expressing gratitude to all involved in the process for their tireless efforts, he said, “After a long journey, we have reached our destination. This is the first step.”

Noting that signing the papers is not the end, rather the real work begins, the Chief Adviser said, “We must keep our commitments that we made. What the convention says, what rights it talks about, must be conveyed to everyone. Everyone must be made aware."

Terming the day as a memorable one in the history of Bangladesh’s labour rights, he said, “From the tragedy of Rana Plaza to today’s signing, we have reached a milestone. At least we complete the paper related part.”

“We moved one step forward of the responsibility that the workers of Rana Plaza bestowed on us by sacrificing their lives. I had promised to myself that I will do this. Today I feel joy that we reached a stage. Our efforts will bear fruit if we ensure full and sincere implementation of it,” the Chief Adviser said.

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, Secretary of the Chief Adviser’s Office (CAO) Md. Mahmudul Hossain Khan, Secretary of the Labour and Employment Ministry Dr Md Sanwar Jahan Bhuiyan, ILO Country Director for Bangladesh Max Tunon and other senior officials were present at the ratification ceremony. 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sakhawat said “Today is a significant day for the interim government. It was a major challenge for us. Everyone worked very hard to this end. That's why it was successful. The Chief Adviser guided us all the time. Finally, this success has come as a result of everyone's hard work round the clock”.

From the beginning, he said, the interim government has been working sincerely in protecting the workers’ rights.

Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi said, “The journey was not easy, but it was enjoyable one. Our experience at the Geneva Convention was remarkable. Everyone worked extremely hard, and for that, we are grateful.”

ILO Country Director Max Tunon congratulated the interim government for ratifying the three conventions to ensure workers’ protection.

He said the ILO is committed to continuing the necessary cooperation to ensure the implementation of the conventions, in collaboration with the Bangladesh government, workers and law enforcers.

Tunon also pledged continued support for implementing recommendations from the Labour Law Reform Commission. 

He also suggested adopting a labor charter based on the consensus of the political parties that will contest the elections to be held February next.

The ratification of these three ILO conventions reflects the interim government’s strong commitment to protecting workers, which will ensure that all social partners in the labour sector uphold international labour standards. 

With this ratification, Bangladesh becomes the only country in South Asia to have ratified all 10 fundamental ILO conventions.